Accident Overview
The airplane was destroyed during a multi-engine instructional flight when it impacted terrain while maneuvering after takeoff. The two pilots had flown together the previous day and earlier that same day.
Accident Sequence
During the accident flight, the airplane was observed flying low. The engine noise stopped, then started up again. The airplane entered a steep bank, 'cartwheeled,' and then rapidly nosed down into a wet, untilled cornfield.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the propeller blades exhibited slight S-bending, minor leading-edge damage, and light chordwise scoring. The landing gear drive mechanism indicated that the landing gear was down, while the wing flap actuator chain positions indicated the flaps were extended 8 to 10 degrees.
Pilot Information
The flight instructor had approximately 1,809 hours of total flight time, including 264 hours in multi-engine airplanes. He accumulated 603 hours as a flight instructor, with 24 hours in multi-engine airplanes. He had about 32 hours of flight time in the accident airplane and 10 hours of instruction given in that airplane, which was acquired 3 months prior.
Related Materials
A notepad found among the wreckage listed the procedures for an engine failure and for a Vmc demonstration.
*Note: The investigation did not state a probable cause.*