PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 223.1; Flight Crew Total 1433; Flight Crew Type 1433
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Confusion; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Object; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Procedure; Aircraft; Human Factors
My student and I were cleared to takeoff of Runway XXR this afternoon. We entered the runway; and my student began the departure roll. Seeing the left turning tendencies begin; I told my student to input some right rudder. My student over corrected by putting too much pressure on the rudder. I stated my controls and tried to maintain control of the plane but was unsuccessful. When I was trying to stay on the centerline of the runway; I noticed his foot was still stiff on the rudder causing us to veer to the right. I closed the throttle immediately and prepared to go off runway. As we got off the runway; I applied aft pressure on the yoke to try prevent damage to the prop and nose gear. I informed ATC that we went off the runway; possibly hit a light; and I would need to be towed. Moving forward; in order to be fully on the controls better I think I will be more assertive with my students so that they do not freeze up on the controls. I told my student this was a good learning experience for the both of us. We both learned from this event.
PA-28 instructor pilot reported that his student pilot input excessive rudder causing him to assume the controls to prevent a runway excursion but was unable to prevent the aircraft from traveling onto the grass; requiring a tow back to the ramp.