On July 10, 1998, a Piper PA-28R-201 (registration N1493H) was involved in an aviation accident near Vero Beach, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot receiving CFI instruction performed a simulated engine failure but failed to arrest a high sink rate during flare, resulting in a collision with the runway.
Event Overview
According to the operator, a pilot undergoing instruction to become a certified flight instructor (CFI) was manipulating the flight controls. The pilot requested an option takeoff clearance from the tower to execute a simulated engine failure on takeoff, with the intention of landing straight ahead on the departure runway, runway 22.
Sequence of Events
While the airplane was between 50 and 100 feet above the ground, the pilot reduced the throttle to simulate an engine malfunction. As the pilot flared the airplane for the simulated emergency landing, a high rate of sink developed and was not arrested. The airplane then collided with the runway.
Outcome
The airplane came to rest at the intersection of runway 22 and runway 29.