Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 31; Flight Crew Total 125; Flight Crew Type 120
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Ground Event / Encounter Object; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Weather; Human Factors
I was practicing landings on Runway XX at ZZZ; the wind was variable at 3 kts. After five short field landings; I switched to soft field landings. On my second second soft field landing; the wind was at about 240 degrees (judging from the windsock); so I was correcting for a small crosswind from the left. I had a nice stable approach; a good transition; and a good soft touch down. I closed the carb heat; raised the flaps and throttled back up to take off. Immediately after throttling up I got a significant gust from the right which lifted my right wing; turned me to the left and lifted the plane back into the air. I was still correcting for a left crosswind; so this took me by surprise. I was able to catch it with right rudder and get the wings level; but by then I was off the runway to the left at about 30 degrees off the runway. Since the left wing came down suddenly (actually the right wing came up); I thought I blew a left tire. I was airborne at about 5'; but only going about 50 kts; so I wasn't climbing. In the moment; I didn't understand why the plane wasn't climbing (full throttle). I checked that the flaps were up and then decide to close the throttle and get the plane back on the ground. Once the wheels were on the ground; I was able to keep the nose up; but didn't want to stomp on the brakes or make any abrupt turns as I was in the dirt infield. As I got the plane slowed down; I was across the infield and approaching Runway XX. I was able to take a quick look left and saw that no one appeared to be on the runway heading my way.Once on Runway XX; I came harder on the brakes; but saw a taxiway light dead ahead. I diverted left enough to avoid a prop strike; but still hit the light with my right wheel. I stopped approximately thirty feet past the light off the south side of Runway XX. The tower called and asked if we were okay. I said that I thought I had blown a tire; but that I was fine. I also told him I had taken out the taxiway light. The tower instructed me to shut down and stay put; and that there were sending someone out.I shut down the engine and got out to inspect the plane. All the tires were fine and there didn't appear to be any damage to the plane. We rolled the plane back onto the runway. A mechanic arrived and suggested that we take the plane down to his shop to look it over. They couldn't tow the plane because it had wheel pants; so I taxied it to the shop.The mechanic looked the plane over and determined that a there was no damage except a small crack in the front of the right wheel pant where it hit the light. The prop was fine and didn't appear to even have any dirt on it. He provided a written statement that it could be returned to service and suggested I call the flying club to confirm the next steps. I called the owner of the plane and let him know that everything was okay except the wheel pant. I then called the VP of Operations for FBO and explained all of the above. They said that if the mechanic had cleared the plane; then I could fly back to ZZZ1 and meet with him and the plane owner.I taxied back to Runway XX and confirmed that the plane was handling normally on the ground. The wind was now 260 at 9kts but gusting to 16kts. I did a full run-up before departing. On initial roll-out; I paid close attention to the plane's reactions and was prepared to abort the take off if there were any abnormalities. The plane flew perfectly; So I returned to ZZZ1. I then met with the plane owner and VP of Operations to discuss what had happened. After discussing the landing; they had some suggestions for the future. They noted that ZZZ is notorious for having a significant wind shift from one end of the runway to the other. He suggested that if I had been quicker with full right rudder; I could probably have salvaged the take off. He suggested I work on being more active on the rudder on landing; especially in gusty conditions.After discussing the landing with my Instructor; he said Ishould be more patient with the landing phase of touch and goes (especially soft field landing ops) and to be sure the plane was completely settled (not flying anymore); and check to see that the flaps were fully retracted before throttling back up for takeoff. He also suggested that I switch to other training agenda (not landings) if it gets gusty.I believe that the unexpected gust from the right (when I was correcting for left crosswind) hitting me just as I throttled up (with the flaps probably still coming up) caused the plane to be lifted off at a low speed and put off course - something I could have caught if I had been better prepared/expecting it. I'm glad the plane wasn't damaged but also appreciate the important lesson regarding cross wind landings in gusty conditions. I've done well with cross wind landings; but the next time I notice it getting so gusty; I will simply call it a day until I have more cross wind experience.
Student Pilot flying C-172 reported loss of aircraft control during touch and go with crosswind that resulted in a runway excursion.