C172 flight crew reported during crosswind takeoff instruction student over controlled resulted in momentary loss of control until instructor safely took control.
Synopsis
C172 flight crew reported during crosswind takeoff instruction student over controlled resulted in momentary loss of control until instructor safely took control.
Narrative
This was during a PPL lesson with my CFI. We were cleared for take off from ZZZ Tower departing run heading. There were wind and gust conditions. I had my ailerons turned in to the crosswind with some rudder. I pushed full throttle as we started down the runway. Close to 55 kts I began to rotate up to takeoff. We skid a little right. As a student pilot I panicked a little and over corrected with too much left rudder. My CFI and I think that gust played a factor but it happened quickly. Either way the over correction of left rudder caused us to turn hard left towards the grass. This sharp turn coupled with me rotating out caused me to freeze up a little as I have never had an issues with take offs before and was unsure as to what was happening. My CFI quickly called flight controls. I alleviated flight controls to her and she was able to pull up and correct our departure. I do not remember or believe that any wheels touched the grass but once we had started our ascent she had me look out the window and we could see the left wheel had some bad balding. We radioed ZZZ approach and immediately came back to land. We landed safely; taxied back to the flight school hangar and ended the lesson. No injuries and no damage to the plane outside of the balding on the left tire. Again the incident happened very quick. On debrief we agreed that the main cause of the issue was me over correcting the left rudder causing the sharp turn. Wind and gust probably did not help but we cannot remember exactly if and when a gust came. It was a very eye opening experience as a student pilot and I take full responsibility for the error. I am grateful for my CFIs quick thinking and ability to correct course and prevent a worse outcome.
Second reporter narrative
Description: Improper application of rudder/crosswind corrections during takeoff roll.ZZZ ATIS: Information G; VFR; Wind 310/11.Runway assigned by ground control - Runway XX; X;XXX feet.The flight was intended to practice traffic patterns and takeoff and landings at ZZZ1 (local non-towered airport). Pre-flight; startup; taxi and run-up were normal. While taxiing; I briefed student on crosswind takeoff techniques. The student told me he was familiar with crosswind takeoffs as he had done them previously with his primary instructor. As we arrived at the hold short; we conducted a thorough takeoff briefing.When cleared to takeoff off winds were reported from 310 degrees; no gusts. Once on the center line; the student applied full throttle and wind correction for a left-to-right crosswind. At approximately 50 knots he overcompensated for drift with a large amount of left rudder. The aircraft turned quickly to the left and began deviating towards the runway edge. I quickly added rudder inputs to stop the left drift while simultaneously announcing 'I have flight controls'. Student immediately took his feet and hands off the controls.Since the airspeed was above takeoff speed I rotated normally. Once safely airborne and climbing out; I corrected back to the runway center line for departure. At approximately 3000 feet and level in cruise; I transferred the controls back to the student. After a short discussion; I determined it was best to turn back to ZZZ to discontinue the lesson and de-brief what had transpired.Student flew the vectors and initial descent into ZZZ. I took control on short final. My landing was uneventful. Student taxied back to the ramp uneventfully. The aircraft was undamaged except for some scrubbing on the left main tire. I immediately debriefed the Chief Pilot. To prevent re occurrence; I would have monitored the student more closely.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.