Event Details
The pilot was performing her third landing approach. After flaring high, she reduced the throttle to idle and expressed hope for a soft landing, having set trim back and flaps to 40 degrees.
Witness Observations
A pilot positioned near the runway reported that his attention was drawn to the aircraft by a sudden large increase in engine noise. He described the aircraft's nose as high, airspeed as slow, and noted that the aircraft appeared to enter a torque roll. He added that the roll may have been caused by P-factor. The left wing struck the ground first, and the aircraft came to rest approximately 200 feet off the runway.
Pilot and Instructor Comments
The pilot stated that she might have raised the flaps to go around before adding power. She also acknowledged that she may not have applied sufficient rudder to counteract the added power. Her instructor noted that the pilot tended to use trim instead of rudder, but he believed she had overcome the habit of raising flaps before power. However, he considered that a reflex situation may have triggered the predominant improper reflex action.