Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During an attempted takeoff after a touch and go landing the student pilot became confused and incorrectly adjusted the throttle and applied the wrong rudder pedal. The pilot lost control and the aircraft ran off the runway and impacted a snow bank.
Source record
Factual narrative
On November 16, 1994, at 1345 mountain standard time, a Cessna 152, N6386L, was substantially damaged during the takeoff portion of a touch and go landing at Boulder, Colorado. The student pilot was not injured. No flight plan was filed for the visual meteorological conditions instructional flight. According to the student pilot, in his written statement, he had retracted flaps and was accelerating when he lost control. He stated that he "mistakenly applied left rudder" instead of the right rudder pedal and pulled the throttle partially off to "prevent lift off." He further reported that he applied right pedal in an attempt "to put him back on track." He intended to pull power off; however, he "mistakenly pushed the throttle on." The aircraft ran off the runway into a snow bank and damaged the fuselage and wing. An examination of the aircraft revealed no mechanical anomalies. -