Accident Details
On December 19, 2017, about 1658 eastern standard time, a Cessna 177, registration N3179T, was substantially damaged when it collided with hangars during takeoff from runway 21 at Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1), Ridgeland, South Carolina. The flight instructor and the student pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the student pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight destined for Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport (TBR), Statesboro, Georgia.
The flight instructor reported that he and the student had flown earlier that day without issues. On the second flight, they performed one takeoff and a full stop landing before taking off again. The flight instructor, seated in the front right seat, stated that the student pilot performed the takeoff while the instructor gently held the control wheel with both hands. The student pilot, in the front left seat, had his left hand on the control wheel and right hand on the throttle during acceleration. When the airspeed reached 65 knots, the student pilot initiated a climb, but the airplane began to "pull to the left." The instructor attempted to take control, but the student continued to hold the control wheel and throttle. The instructor reported good aileron and elevator control as he maneuvered away from approaching hangars, but could not recall rudder pedal movement. The airplane continued left, touched down momentarily, bounced back into the air, and the instructor shut off the engine with the mixture control. The airplane struck a hangar with the left wing, pivoted, struck another hangar with its right wing, and came to a stop. There was no post-impact fire.
The student pilot stated that he remembered adding full power for takeoff and initiating a climb at 70 knots. He did not clearly recall subsequent events except that they had "no rudder control" and could not maintain runway centerline. He stated the instructor took control and the "impact happened so fast."
Pilot Information
The flight instructor received his flight instructor certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating on November 11, 2017. He also held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single- and multiengine land. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical was issued on February 17, 2017. He reported a total of 525 flight hours, with about 12 hours in the accident airplane.
The student pilot had not applied for an FAA student-pilot certificate at the time of the accident.
Aircraft Examination
An on-scene examination revealed substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and empennage. The propeller blades were also damaged. Flight control continuity was checked: the rudder moved freely and was connected to the rudder pedals, which moved in both directions but were restricted by impact damage from full deflection. The elevator moved but was also restricted due to impact damage. The ailerons could not be moved due to impact damage; the left aileron was down and the right aileron up. The flaps were extended for takeoff, and the elevator trim tab was positioned 5° nose down.
Weather Information
At 1656, weather reported at Beaufort Marine Air Corps Station (NBC), Beaufort, South Carolina, about 14 miles east of the accident site, included wind from 240° at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, and clear skies.
Advisory Circular Reference
According to FAA Advisory Circular AC 61-23C, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge: "The effect of torque increases in direct proportion to engine power, airspeed, and airplane attitude. If the power setting is high, the airspeed slow, and the angle of attack high, the effect of torque is greater. During takeoffs and climbs, when the effect of torque is most pronounced, the pilot must apply sufficient right rudder pressure to counteract the left-turning tendency and maintain a straight takeoff path."