Incident Overview
During an instructional flight, the student pilot initiated the takeoff roll normally. As the airplane accelerated, it began to weave back and forth until it suddenly yawed sharply to the left. The flight instructor applied back pressure to the control yoke, and the airplane became airborne.
Sequence of Events
As the student pilot relinquished control of the airplane, she removed her hand from the throttle and inadvertently reduced it to the idle position. The flight instructor immediately advanced the throttle to the full open position as the airplane started to descend. Subsequently, the right main landing gear struck the runway precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights and impacted the ground, resulting in structural damage to the fuselage.
Post-Accident Statements
The flight instructor and student pilot stated that there were no anomalies with the flight control system or the engine at the time of the accident.