What happened
The accident occurred during a training flight involving a certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot. Prior to the takeoff phase, the CFI had conducted a simulated left engine failure by retarding the left throttle during the landing approach and subsequent landing. Following this maneuver, both throttles were advanced for the next takeoff.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft reached an airspeed of 85 mph when the CFI initiated a simulation of a right engine failure by moving the mixture control to idle cutoff. The student pilot responded to this emergency scenario by closing both throttle levers in an attempt to land straight ahead. Shortly thereafter, the mixture controls and throttles were reportedly advanced again, allowing the aircraft to climb to approximately 100 feet at 100 mph.
A witness on the ground observed the aircraft with its right wing high and drifting to the left. The witness reported that the aircraft suddenly leveled its wings and pitched the nose down before contacting the ground. According to the CFI, he assumed control at 85 mph as the aircraft turned left. He rolled both wings level, closed both throttles, and executed a landing off the runway. At the moment of touchdown, the landing gear was in the process of retracting.
The CFI later speculated that the left engine may have loaded up and failed to respond properly during the final takeoff attempt.