What happened
On 16 February 2005, a Reims Cessna F152, registration G-BHZH, was engaged in a training flight at Exeter Airport, Devon. The student pilot, who had recently completed three successful circuits with an instructor, was performing a solo circuit involving a flapless 'touch and go' landing.
While the initial landing on Runway 08 was smooth and maintained the centerline, the aircraft experienced a sudden yaw to the left immediately after the pilot applied full power for the subsequent takeoff. In an attempt to rectify the deviation, the pilot applied right rudder, which triggered a violent swing to the right. Subsequent attempts to correct with left rudder resulted in a total loss of directional control.
To regain stability, the pilot closed the throttle completely. The aircraft exited the left side of the runway. The pilot initially refrained from using the brakes to prevent upsetting the aircraft's balance, but applied gentle braking once the aircraft failed to decelerate sufficiently on the grass. During the excursion, the aircraft bounced, causing the left wingtip to strike the ground. The aircraft continued across an area of hard standing, where the nosewheel sustained damage after striking a ridge, before finally coming to a stop on the grass.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence and the pilot's recent handling of the aircraft. Following the incident, a second instructor observed the student pilot taxiing another aircraft and noted two instances where the student applied left rudder when intending to turn right. The student pilot acknowledged that an incorrect rudder application likely occurred during the high-power phase of the touch-and-go maneuver.
Findings
- The aircraft possesses a natural tendency to yaw to the left when power is increased.
- The pilot applied left rudder at a high airspeed during the application of full power, which exacerbated the aircraft's inherent leftward yaw.
- Large, corrective rudder inputs at high speeds led to over-controlling and the subsequent loss of directional control.