Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 24; Flight Crew Total 61
Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
After entering Runway XX for takeoff; stopped on runway to align aircraft to center line; released brakes; applied throttle gradually to ensure aircraft stays on center line. When applied full throttle; the aircraft turned left (due to left turning tendency); to correct that applied right rudder correction. However the aircraft turned more left towards the edge of runway and felt risk of takeoff. So pulled throttle off completely; applied brakes and steered safely into grass.Tower contacted me immediately to check; I was safe. Then asked me to check if any of the tires were flat/punctured. I confirmed looking at both the tires; they were not flat/punctured. Tower provided progressive taxi to parking. After parking; control tower provided a contact number for flight instructor to contact them. Also a person from rescue team came and checked with me about what happened and noted my information; checked tires and aircraft for any visible damage. Everything was found ok. Also there were no damages to airport property.
My student pilot lost directional control of the aircraft during the takeoff roll on Runway XX at ZZZ and ended up rejecting the takeoff; however; he ended up in the grass on the side of the runway before coming to a complete stop. He was on a solo cross country flight ZZZ1-ZZZ-ZZZ2-ZZZ1.I was immediately contacted by my student who notified me of the event and he told me to contact the ZZZ Tower; which I did as soon as I was done talking to him. The controller said that it appeared as if my student lost rudder control. He also said that neither the aircraft nor the airport property sustained any damage.My student informed me that the aircraft was veering to the left slightly and he tried to correct it with right rudder. After the application of right rudder; the aircraft veered even further left; which is when he decided to abort the takeoff by pulling the throttle to idle and applying brakes. The aircraft was turned too far left to safely turn it back to the runway center line while applying brakes and therefore; the aircraft ended up in the grass. My student then taxied back onto the runway and exited at the next taxiway. The controller gave him progressive taxi to parking where the aircraft was inspected.Based on the description of this event from both the controller and my student; I suspect that my student inadvertently tapped the left toe brake while applying more right rudder to keep the aircraft on the runway center line. As a result; the aircraft quickly veered to the left.
C172 instructor and student pilots reported that student pilot lost directional control during takeoff roll while on a solo flight; resulting in a Rejected Take Off and a runway excursion.