2025-08 · NASA ASRS report 2279446
C172 Flight Instructor and student reported loss of directional control during landing resulted in runway excursion.
Coming in to land I was in control of the aircraft; but upon touchdown the plane pulled to the left immediately and I lost directional controls. I was completely off the rudders and brakes and the plane was still pulling to the left. I released controls of the aircraft to my instructor and she attempted to gain control again by using right rudder; but the plane continued pulling to the left off of the runway on to the grass and then back onto a closed taxiway. My instructor then pulled the mixture to come to a complete stop as we were not slowing down. We contacted tower straight away and they gave us priority handling. The airport ground crew was then sent to tow us to the FBO. The aircraft was able to be towed; so the left tire and brake were not locked. The FBO's mechanic inspected the tire and plate and there was no visible damage. The aircraft has 24.0 hours OFF/ON Hobbs time. His initial assessment was that because the aircraft was so new the brake pads and piston were tight and improperly lubricated that it caused a momentary lock up.
Coming in to land my student was on the controls of the aircraft. Upon touchdown the plane immediately pulled to the left and directional controls was lost. I was completely off the rudders and brakes and the plane was still pulling to the left. I immediately took controls of the aircraft and tried to gain longitudinal alignment and control by using right rudder; but the plane continued pulling to the left off of the runway up on to the grass and then back onto a closed taxiway. Having no brake authority I then had to pull the mixture in order to come to a stop. We contacted tower straight away and they requested priority handling on our behalf. The airport ground crew was then sent to tow us to the FBO. The aircraft was able to be towed; so the left tire and brake were not locked. The FBO's mechanic inspected the aircraft and there was no visible damage to the tires. The aircraft has 24.0 OFF/ON Hobbs time. His initial assessment and determination was that because the aircraft was so new the brake pads and piston were tight and improperly lubricated which caused the momentary lock up.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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