Overview
A training flight involving a flight instructor and a student pilot ended in an accident during a simulated forced landing exercise. The incident occurred when the aircraft struck trees and impacted the ground after the instructor attempted to avoid a hill.
Sequence of Events
According to the investigation, the instructor and student initiated a simulated forced landing at 2,500 feet. The student began a spiraling descent toward a selected area. The airplane descended steeply. At that point, the instructor noticed a hill located between the airplane and the intended landing area. In response, the instructor applied full power and leveled the wings to stop the descent. However, the airplane was near its stall speed at that moment. It subsequently struck trees, nosed over, and impacted the ground.
Instructor's Statement
The flight instructor reported that the engine operated normally during the attempt to clear the hill. No further details were provided regarding the aircraft's condition or other factors.
Investigation
The investigation did not specify a probable cause for the accident. The sequence of events was documented as described.