Incident Details
While practicing landings in a Cessna 172R, a student pilot experienced difficulties with the traffic pattern. During the landing sequence, as power was reduced and the flare began, the student perceived the flare as too high, leading to a hard impact with the runway. The flight instructor directed a go-around, prompting the student to apply full power in an attempt to lift off. However, the aircraft veered sharply to the left and did not become airborne, exiting the runway surface.
Instructor's Account
The instructor reported that she immediately called for a go-around. As power was increased, the aircraft turned aggressively to the left and failed to climb. She stated that she shouted "my controls," but before she could take over, the left wing struck the windsock. She could not identify why the aircraft turned so severely. She noted that she had taught the student the go-around procedure using the mnemonic "CRAMB, CLIMB, CLEAN, COMMUNICATE," but the "CLEAN" step—which involves retracting flaps—had not been completed because the climb had not been established. The flaps remained at full deflection throughout the event.
Additional Factors
The instructor mentioned that the student had large feet and had been cautioned multiple times to keep them sufficiently back on the floor to avoid inadvertently pressing the brakes. A post-incident functional check of the aircraft revealed no pre-existing failures or malfunctions in the aircraft or its systems.
Manufacturer Guidance
The Cessna 172R Information Handbook, Section 4, specifies that during balked landings, wing flaps should be retracted to 20 degrees immediately after applying full throttle. The sequence of flap retraction was not followed in this instance.