On July 3, 1990, a Beech B19 (registration N18989) was involved in an aviation accident near MC Kinney, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE PIC, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT, WHEN HE ALLOWED THE STUDENT PILOT TO FLARE AT TOO HIGH AN ALTITUDE OFF THE RUNWAY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a training flight, a simulated engine failure led to a hard landing that broke both main landing gear. The aircraft bounced, slid on gear stubs, and came to rest off the runway.
Incident Overview
During a training flight, an instructor pilot (IP) and student pilot were practicing pattern emergencies. After 45 minutes of air work, they entered the downwind leg to practice emergency procedures. The IP simulated an engine failure, and the student executed a full-stop landing on the runway.
Sequence of Events
Following a subsequent takeoff, at approximately 200 feet above ground level (AGL), the IP again simulated an engine failure. The student maneuvered to land on the remaining runway. During the flare, the airplane stalled at a height too high above the runway. The aircraft impacted the runway hard on its main landing gear, causing both main gear legs to break off. The airplane then bounced several feet and landed on the stubs of the gear legs and the nose gear. After sliding along the runway, the airplane swerved off the side, coming to rest approximately 100 to 150 feet off the runway edge.