What happened
The incident occurred while the pilot was conducting a demonstration of a forced landing procedure for a passenger. To simulate the conditions of an engine failure, the pilot moved the mixture control to the cut-off position, effectively shutting down the engine.
During the subsequent approach for the simulated emergency landing, another aircraft in the vicinity interfered with the flight path. This interference prevented the pilot from safely restarting the engine to execute a go-around maneuver. Consequently, the pilot was forced to complete the landing on the intended field. Upon touchdown, the aircraft nosed over in the rough terrain of the landing area.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control and the subsequent damage to the aircraft. Investigators examined the flight dynamics during the forced landing attempt and the impact forces that caused the nose-over. The condition of the airframe following the ground contact was assessed to determine the extent of the structural failure.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the inability to recover from the simulated engine failure due to external traffic interference. The rough nature of the landing field likely exacerbated the severity of the impact, resulting in the nose-over. The demonstration technique used by the pilot created a high-risk scenario that became unmanageable when unexpected variables were introduced.
Safety message
Demonstrating emergency procedures such as forced landings requires careful consideration of airspace traffic and environmental conditions. Pilots must ensure that simulated failures do not compromise safety margins, particularly when other aircraft are present in the area.