Incident Overview
During a training flight, a student pilot was practicing power-off emergency landings at a small airstrip near Fountain Hills. On the final approach to the runway, the flight instructor observed that the glide path would result in the aircraft landing short of the runway. The instructor then took control of the aircraft and added power to initiate a go-around.
Engine Performance and Collision
According to the instructor, after adding power, the engine faltered and the aircraft was unable to maintain altitude. Subsequently, the aircraft collided with rising terrain just beyond the departure end of the runway.
Post-Accident Examination
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspectors examined the aircraft at the scene. Their report noted that the carburetor heat control was in the full-on position and the mixture control was set to full rich. Additionally, the density altitude was computed to be in excess of 5,000 feet.