What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-06-06 involved a Government Aviation Training Institute, Cessna 152, registration VT-EUW, at IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the trainee pilot's improper handling of the aircraft during the takeoff roll, compounded by a lack of practical training in executing aborted or rejected takeoff procedures.

Trainee Pilot Error Leads to Runway Excursion in Cessna 152

A solo training flight at Birasal Airfield ended in a runway excursion after a trainee pilot failed to maintain directional control and improperly executed an aborted takeoff.

What happened

On 06 June 2022, a Cessna 152 aircraft, registration VT-EUW, operated by the Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI), was involved in a runway excursion at Birasal Airfield. The flight was a solo circuit and landing training sortie commanded by a student pilot holding a valid student pilot license.

During the takeoff roll on runway 27, the pilot applied power with a slight right rudder input to compensate for engine torque. As the aircraft reached approximately 50 knots, it began veering toward the left. The pilot attempted to apply opposite rudder, but the aircraft continued to drift, eventually exiting the paved surface. At roughly 55 knots, the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. However, the pilot applied the brakes before reducing the throttle to idle, a sequence contrary to standard operating procedures. The aircraft continued to veer left, striking concrete drain covers parallel to the runway, which caused substantial damage to the nose and front fuselage. The pilot sustained minor injuries.

The investigation

The AAIB investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's training records, and the organizational practices of the flight school. Investigators found that while the aircraft's rudder and brakes were mechanically functional, the pilot had noted a "sluggish" rudder pedal feel during pre-flight checks but chose to proceed because no issues had been reported in previous flights.

Furthermore, the investigation scrutinized the training syllabus and regulatory compliance. It was discovered that the trainee pilot had a documented history of left-alignment tendencies during takeoff. The investigation also identified several organizational discrepancies, including the authorization of daily pre-flight inspections by instructors rather than maintenance personnel, and the practice of allowing trainees to perform radio telephony exercises without the required FRTOL(R) license.

Findings

The primary cause of the accident was the inappropriate handling of the aircraft by the trainee pilot.
A significant contributing factor was the pilot's lack of training experience regarding rejected or aborted take-off procedures.
The pilot's attempt to abort the takeoff involved an incorrect sequence of actions (braking before idling the throttle), which prevented the aircraft from stopping effectively.
The pilot's improper rudder input, likely caused by an over-correction for left-turning tendencies, led to the loss of directional control.
The training organization's syllabus lacked specific, mandatory practice for aborted take-off maneuvers.

Safety action

It is recommended that the DGCA assess the practice of providing radio training to students before they hold the necessary FRTOL(R) licenses.
The investigation suggests that all flight training organizations should formally include rejected/aborted take-off procedures in their training manuals to ensure mandatory practice and record-keeping.