Accident Overview
A student pilot, who held a rated pilot certificate, and a certified flight instructor (CFI) departed at 1645 Eastern Standard Time for a flight intended to provide experience in a complex aircraft. The planned lesson included maneuvers such as minimum control airspeeds, stalls, steep turns, and emergency procedures.
Discovery and Wreckage Examination
The aircraft was subsequently located where it had crashed on a wooded hilltop. No witnesses to the accident were identified. Examination of the wreckage indicated that the aircraft had struck the terrain in a steep descent. The only damage to trees was directly above the wreckage, and cut tree limbs were found in that area.
Damage Patterns
Leading edges of both wings were compressed rearward. The instrument panel was displaced forward. The back of the right front seat was displaced rearward, while the left front seat was displaced to the right and slightly rearward. These findings are consistent with a high-energy vertical impact.
Mechanical Inspection
No preimpact part failure or malfunction was discovered during the examination of the wreckage. Official twilight on the accident date was recorded at 1711 EST.