PA-28 instructor pilot reported that student pilot caught a foot between brake pedal and crossbar; w...

Attributes
ACN	1005299
Time
Date	201204
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-28R Cherokee Arrow All Series
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Landing
Flight Plan	None
Component
Aircraft Component	Normal Brake System
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying Instructor
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Commercial
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200 Flight Crew Total 2100 Flight Crew Type 150
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control Ground Excursion Runway

Narrative:

Practice power-off 180 approach with student flying. Student is a private pilot working toward commercial certificate. Approach was slightly high; and airplane was put into a slip to dissipate excess energy. During slip; toe of student's left foot became stuck between toe brake pedal and the crossbar behind the pedals; resulting in left brake pressure being applied on final. This condition was not discovered until touchdown; when the airplane jerked to the left with the left brake locked. I jumped on the controls; but was unable to counter due to the student's inability to release left brake pressure. The aircraft skidded left and exited the runway; passing between two runway edge lights and missing a runway sign. Aircraft came to a stop in the grass near the runway intersection; where I shut down and we exited the aircraft to visually inspect the aircraft. Company was notified; the local FBO checked on us; and upon receiving approval to do so; we taxied to the FBO for maintenance. Only visible damage was a flat spot on the left main tire where tread was worn. In the future; I will stress the importance of proper positioning of the feet on the rudder pedals and will try to develop the habit of testing the brakes prior to touchdown.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA-28 instructor pilot reported that student pilot caught a foot between brake pedal and crossbar; which resulted in a runway excursion on landing. Instructor was unable to overcome stuck brake.

Narrative: Practice power-off 180 approach with student flying. Student is a Private Pilot working toward commercial certificate. Approach was slightly high; and airplane was put into a slip to dissipate excess energy. During slip; toe of student's left foot became stuck between toe brake pedal and the crossbar behind the pedals; resulting in left brake pressure being applied on final. This condition was not discovered until touchdown; when the airplane jerked to the left with the left brake locked. I jumped on the controls; but was unable to counter due to the student's inability to release left brake pressure. The aircraft skidded left and exited the runway; passing between two runway edge lights and missing a runway sign. Aircraft came to a stop in the grass near the runway intersection; where I shut down and we exited the aircraft to visually inspect the aircraft. Company was notified; the local FBO checked on us; and upon receiving approval to do so; we taxied to the FBO for maintenance. Only visible damage was a flat spot on the left main tire where tread was worn. In the future; I will stress the importance of proper positioning of the feet on the rudder pedals and will try to develop the habit of testing the brakes prior to touchdown.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.