Incident Details
A student pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 28L. After a normal landing, witnesses reported that the airplane landed hard on the right main landing gear. During the landing roll, the pilot raised the flaps, turned off the carburetor heat, and began to increase engine power. The airplane then started to veer to the left. The pilot applied full engine power in an attempt to become airborne, and the left main landing gear struck a taxiway sign. The pilot then elected to abort the takeoff and reduced engine power. He switched off the master switch and turned off the magnetos. The airplane continued into the adjacent ramp area and struck a parked helicopter.
Pilot Account
The student pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings and made a normal landing on runway 28L. He described the sequence of events during the landing roll, including raising the flaps, turning the carburetor heat off, and increasing engine power before the airplane veered left. After applying full power and striking the taxiway sign, he decided to abort the takeoff and shut down the engine systems.
Witness Observations
Witnesses located adjacent to the runway observed the landing and stated that the airplane landed hard on the right main landing gear. They observed the subsequent veering and collision with the taxiway sign and parked helicopter.