Mooney M20C pilot and instructor pilot reported runway excursion caused by too much rudder during landing. No damage reported
Synopsis
Mooney M20C pilot and instructor pilot reported runway excursion caused by too much rudder during landing. No damage reported
Narrative
Pilot was completing pattern work with co-owner in right seat; who is a CFI. Intent of practice was to focus on landings. Pilot had completed initial ~60 hours of training in Cessna 150's and 172'; with most recent 28.3 hours in the Mooney M20C used in this flight. Pilot had a total of 22 landings in this plane; this being the 23rd; all in the last 90 days. On the 3rd and final landing prior to stopping for fuel; pilot had a stable approach but landed left of the centerline. This was likely due to a slight crosswind (~5-7 knots) from the east (landing was on Runway XX at ZZZ). While the plane was still in a high speed taxi (approximately 40 knots; before brakes were applied); pilot added right rudder pressure to bring the plane back to the centerline. Plane pointed to the right and began skidding at an angle off with no ability to redirect back to runway with left rudder. Plane continued off the runway and came to rest in the grass alongside the East side of XX. Airplane was not damaged and there were no injuries. Plane was taxied under its own power back to taxiway 1; where it crossed the active runway and the ramp for fuel. Pilot spoke with the FBO and they checked the area and confirmed no damage to the runway or grass either. Plane flew back to ZZZ1 with no issues.Expected cause was pilot inexperience resulting in too much right rudder pressure for plane taxi speed. Smaller control inputs would have avoided the issue.
Second reporter narrative
I own a Mooney M20C together with a friend. He is a private pilot with a little bit less than 100 hrs. We had owned the airplane together for a couple of months; and I did help him with his transition training. He also engaged two other CFIs to do training with. On the day of the incident; he has had about 20hrs in the Mooney and he had already been signed off as PIC. He had asked me to go up with him as an instructor to work with him on his landings; as he had some issues on previous solo flights with bouncing / ballooning. We did several successful landings. On the last one he touched down a little bit left of the centerline. He tried to correct to get back on the centerline; but unfortunately over corrected. I had followed him on the rudder pedals; but I was too late reacting to his abrupt input. The airplane veered off the runway and came to a stop about 200 yards in the grassy runway safety area. Neither the airplane nor the airport infrastructure was damaged in any way. Nobody was hurt. We were able to taxi back to the FBO.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.