Incident Overview
A student pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings during a training flight. On an approach, the pilot decided to perform a go-around. Upon applying full throttle, the airplane unexpectedly entered a “hard left bank.” The student pilot responded by applying right rudder to counter the turn, but the aircraft subsequently struck the ground in a left-wing-down attitude.
Circumstances
The aircraft was operating under normal conditions with no reported mechanical anomalies. Winds were aligned with the runway at 6 to 9 knots. The student pilot had accumulated a total of 42 hours of flight time at the time of the event.
Relevant Guidance
According to the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, during takeoffs and climbs, the effect of torque is most pronounced. The handbook advises that pilots must apply sufficient right rudder pressure to counteract the left-turning tendency and maintain a straight takeoff path.
Findings
The investigation did not identify any mechanical or system malfunctions that would have contributed to the loss of control. The event occurred during a critical phase of flight when torque effects are typically greatest.