What happened
While at a small airstrip near Fountain Hills, a student was practicing power-off emergency landings. During the final approach to the runway, the instructor took control of the aircraft after observing that the glide path would result in the aircraft landing short of the runway. As the instructor applied power to initiate a go-around, the engine faltered, and the aircraft was unable to maintain its altitude. The aircraft subsequently collided with rising terrain located just beyond the departure end of the runway.
The investigation
FAA airworthiness inspectors examined the aircraft at the scene. Their inspection revealed that the carburetor heat control was in the full on position and the mixture control was set to full rich. Additionally, the density altitude during the event was calculated to be greater than 5,000 feet.