PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 450; Flight Crew Type 150
Situational Awareness; Confusion; Distraction
Ground Event / Encounter Object; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Object; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Human Factors
While conducting a solo flight the student lost directional control on the runway after touchdown; ending up in the grass on the left side of the runway. Conditions for the solo flight were favorable. Winds were calm visibility was more than 10 SM. It was the third pass after two prior full stop taxi backs to the active runway when the incident occurred. The students landing was controlled and on centerline. Issues were not necessarily related to landing or flare but after as he attempted to use brakes and rudders to steer the aircraft centerline to come to a full stop. There was no damage to the aircraft at this point or any equipment malfunctions that could have contributed to the student having lost control that I know of. The only damage was to runway lights. I was able to push the aircraft back on to the runway and taxi it back to [the FBO.] The student did not obtain any injuries related to this incident. Prior to sending him solo he showed consistency and confidence. Three landings were done with me and there was not an issue with directional control on landings or takeoffs. I believe that he could have possibly defaulted back to using his hands rather than steering with his feet to control once he touched down from flight. Then panicked; giving too much pressure to the brakes rather than focusing on rudders to maintain centerline resulting in him going off the runway.
A student pilot lost control of his PA-28 after touchdown and departed the runway with no damage.