On April 2, 1994, a Piper PA-44-180 (registration N8303G) was involved in an aviation accident near Bunnell, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED (VMC) DURING THE GO-AROUND, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE DELAY BY THE DUAL STUDENT TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR. 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 go-around, resulting in loss of control at VMC and a wing strike. The aircraft came to rest upright; post-crash examination found the gear warning horn functional.
Incident
A flight instructor simulated an engine failure during a training flight in the traffic pattern. After turning from crosswind to downwind and base leg, the instructor feathered the left engine propeller. On final approach, a pilot from another aircraft announced on the same radio frequency that the landing gear was not extended. The student pilot then extended the landing gear selector handle. The instructor applied full power on the right engine to initiate a go-around. The pilots reported that the airplane began to climb but then entered minimum control speed (VMC) and rolled to the left. The left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest upright.
Examination
A post-crash examination of the airplane revealed that the landing gear warning horn operated normally. No other issues with the aircraft's systems were reported in the source.