DA20 Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 274; Flight Crew Type 13.5
Communication Breakdown; Other / Unknown; Time Pressure
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Event / Encounter Object; Ground Excursion Runway
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
Loss of control during student simulated soft field takeoff involving Diamond Aircraft Industries DA20 aircraft; began to depart from Runway XX; by practicing a simulated soft field takeoff. On board the aircraft were an instructor and student. The primary focus of this dual exercise was for the student to refine the skills needed to perform a simulated soft field takeoff required as a private pilot task for FAA-S-ACS-6B. Prior to the flight the instructor thoroughly briefed the student on the proper exchange of flight controls through several exercises and it was clear to the student. After practicing the takeoff the first time; where the student made the mistake of keeping the stick fully aft; instead of slowly reducing back pressure once in ground effect; the student kept the stick in a full aft position creating a takeoff stall. The instructor was able to recover the aircraft by taking the controls and breaking the stall by lowering the angle of attack and regaining airspeed appropriate for a positive rate of climb. After the unsatisfactory performance of the soft field takeoff; the instructor decided to give the student another chance exercising a simulated soft field takeoff after completing several traffic patterns. Prior to taxiing Runway XX for takeoff the instructor asked the student how are you going to perform the soft field takeoff.  The student responded with the proper procedure and the instructor reminded the student of his mistake last time he attempted a soft field takeoff. The student properly taxied to runway centerline using constant back pressure on the stick and increased throttle to full power.  The student then used the proper right rudder pressure to compensate for P-factor. Once 500 feet down the runway; the airplane was able to get into ground effect however the aircraft was too slow pitch for Vx and after the instructor stated 'release the back pressure slowly' the student increased the pitch up and kept constant right rudder (stalling the airplane again). At this point the instructor took the controls and said abruptly 'my flight controls!' twice. The student failed to positively exchange flight controls to the instructor and locking the grip and control inputs contrary to the instructors. This lead to the plane striking the right wing on the runway pointing and losing control of the aircraft over the grass field to the right of Runway XX.  The instructor then overpowered the students control movements to counter a possible cartwheeling right prop strike; banked left while reducing the throttle to idle which caused the airplane to strike its left wing on the grass where it landed.  The instructor immediately secured the aircraft; preventing any chances of an onboard fire. Both the student and instructor survived with no injuries. It is unclear what total damage was done to the plane however there was visible damage to both wings.
DA-20 Instructor reported a communication breakdown with student during a takeoff training event resulting in a runway excursion and ground strike.