Event Narrative
A certified flight instructor (CFI) was conducting a training flight with a student pilot. During the session, the CFI reduced engine power to simulate an emergency landing and directed the student to perform a simulated forced landing approach to a dirt road. According to the CFI, he allowed the student to descend too low. When he took control of the airplane, it struck the ground and bounced.
Ground witnesses reported that after the initial ground contact, the engine power increased. The airplane then entered a high angle of attack and a steep right banking attitude. It subsequently struck the top of a tree approximately one-quarter mile from the initial touchdown point. The airplane bounced twice more before colliding with a concrete barrier, flipping over it, and erupting into flames.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunctions or failures. The airplane was inspected thoroughly, and all systems appeared to have been operating normally before the accident sequence.
Conclusion
The accident occurred during a simulated emergency landing exercise. The sequence of events began with a ground strike, followed by an apparent power increase, a high-angle-of-attack climb, and a series of collisions that ended with a fire. No mechanical anomalies were identified.