Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The flight instructor reported that while performing a soft-field takeoff, the airplane briefly lifted off the runway and subsequently bounced. The flight instructor directed the student pilot to pitch down as he applied forward pressure on the yoke. The airplane remained in a nose high attitude and yawed to the left. The flight instructor verbalized “my controls” as the airplane then turned to the right and the pitch increased. The airplane came to rest upright on the edge of the runway. The landing gear collapsed upon impact with the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount and firewall. The flight instructor stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.