Accident Overview
During a training flight, the aircraft experienced a loss of power and subsequently collided with power lines and crops before landing in a corn field. The flight was conducting practice maneuvers in preparation for a single-engine approach to the Richmond, Indiana airport.
Flight Details
At the time of the incident, the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were practicing cruise flight with a simulated single-engine condition. The right engine had been leaned to a zero-thrust setting as part of the exercise. The student pilot was tasked with configuring the aircraft for a single-engine approach to the airport. However, the student had difficulty maintaining airspeed and altitude, prompting the CFI to take control of the throttle quadrant and advance all levers forward. The CFI instructed the student to ensure all switches on the left side were in the "up" position, calling out, "Everything up over there."
Emergency Response
When power could not be restored, the CFI lowered the landing gear and flaps, then flew the aircraft through power lines and executed a forced landing into a corn field. Both pilots reported having partial power in the right engine and a complete failure of the left engine.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed a small amount of water present in both carburetor bowls. Additionally, the left magneto on the right engine was found to be unauthorized for use on the aircraft and did not produce a spark during testing.