What happened
During the second multi-engine training flight for a pilot trainee, the aircraft was on final approach with the left engine feathered and the landing gear extended. With the runway ahead clear, the crew initiated a single engine go-around.
Witnesses observed the airplane enter a very shallow climb before subsequently descending in a nose-down attitude and striking the ground. There were no fatalities or injuries reported in the accident.
The investigation
The investigation determined that the aircraft impacted the ground with the landing gear in the extended position and the left engine propeller feathered. Examination of the airplane and the feathered engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction.
A review of the aircraft's certification requirements showed that it was not required to be capable of performing a single-engine go-around. Furthermore, investigators noted that FAA and AOPA publications contain cautions against attempting single-engine go-arounds in such aircraft.
Records indicated that the flight instructor had previously performed a similar maneuver in the same airplane with the left engine shut down; however, in that prior instance, the landing gear had been retracted.