The flight instructor reported that after she demonstrated a soft-field takeoff, she directed the student to conduct one at the airport in Lancaster, New York.
During the takeoff roll, the student maintained excessive back pressure on the control yoke and was told by the instructor to reduce the back pressure.
Once the Cessna 172 lifted off the runway it started to veer to the left. The CFI again informed the student to reduce back pressure to decrease the pitch, but the student maintained a grip on the controls and held excessive right rudder.
The instructor stated, “I have the controls,” but the student “locked up and blocked” her and failed to relinquish the controls.
The instructor was able to reduce the pitch, but directional control was lost, and the left wing hit the runway surface. The airplane departed the runway and flipped over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and airframe.
Probable Cause: The student pilot’s excessive pitch during takeoff resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing was the student’s failure to relinquish the controls when ordered by the instructor.
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This May 2022 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
A hard knuckle to the sternum (which is one of the medical community practices) would get their attention without subjecting yourself to assault charges. Student bloody noses are hard to explain to the Chief Instructor.
Karate chop quickly ought to do the trick…. It went to far, his hearing was INOP… When the instructor briefing was totally ignored no more rides period….
This loss of “student control” is unfortunately a problem for the current batch of CFIs who are entering the Instructor cadre with very low hours under their belts. We are running new instructors pilots through their experience-gaining time by letting them become CFIs. Slow and steady wins the race not fast or furiously.
I agree with the bloody nose group
As unprofessional as it sounds, if my life was being threatened in this event, I would of punched the student, took control and failed them on the spot.
A Back of the hand on the nose would;’ve worked his reflex would’ve went to his nose
I think like you do, but, I know of a CFI, a young lady, that could not overcome the student she was teaching and that male student killed both of them. She could not overcome his muscles. And I think she panicked. I don’t think many ask what do I do when a student locks up on the controls until someone they know is killed that way.
You really can’t wrestle the controls away, you have to take them by refocusing their attention.
If you can pop them in the nose… But if not, a chop to the throat, even if not a solid direct hit, will get them focused on breathing and not the controls. If you are in a spin, you only have a few seconds to recover if it is even possible before that sudden stop.
A flight instructor has to realize when one is in the fight for their life — being firm but polite is not going to save you.
Bad student. Bad
On a serious note always check the panic mode of others and yourself.