Accident Overview
A single-engine aircraft impacted terrain approximately 900 feet from the end of the runway during a simulated engine failure. The pilot, who had just completed a flight review, requested to simulate an engine failure in the pattern with an instructor on board. The aircraft came to rest in a plowed farm field after the pilot maneuvered away from a road and runway approach lights.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that he pulled the power back to idle after passing the end of runway 18. As he was turning to runway 18, he lowered the landing gear. Both the pilot and the instructor concluded that they would not be able to reach the runway without power. The pilot then advanced the throttle, but the engine coughed a few times and did not develop power.
Instructor Interview
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector interviewed the instructor. The instructor confirmed that he saw the pilot pull the propeller control full aft. When asked if he saw the pilot return the propeller control to full forward at any point, the instructor responded that he did not.
Post-accident Engine Test
A functional test of the engine conducted after the accident revealed that the engine produced power at idle and low power settings.