What happened
On 26 February 2016, a DA20-A1 Katana, registration G-BXPD, was conducting a training flight at Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey. During the sequence of events, a student pilot had completed a landing and was preparing for a subsequent circuit. As the takeoff roll commenced, the instructor provided verbal guidance regarding power application, rudder use, and flap deployment.
Following these instructions, the aircraft experienced a significant rightward veer, causing it to depart the runway. The aircraft's wheels entered very soft, muddy terrain adjacent to the runway, which caused an immediate and forceful deceleration. This sudden stop resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear and caused the propeller to strike the ground. There were no injuries to the two crew members on board.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation reviewed the aircraft accident report submitted by the instructor and conducted further inquiries. The investigation focused on the control inputs made during the takeoff roll and the surface conditions at the edge of the runway. The instructor noted that the student pilot applied excessive right rudder and maintained that input. The investigation established that the aircraft's deviation from the runway centerline occurred so rapidly that the instructor was unable to intervene or correct the rudder pedal input before the aircraft left the narrow runway surface.