Flight Sequence
A student pilot, under the supervision of a certified flight instructor (CFI), had performed airwork followed by three uneventful landings and a practice VOR approach. Subsequently, while practicing an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach, the CFI instructed the student to remove his hood and advised that the flight was cleared to land.
Accident Sequence
According to the CFI, at approximately 100 feet above ground level, a wind gust caused the airplane to go high and decelerate. The CFI assumed control of the airplane and added power. The airplane then began a left turn. The CFI reported that it seemed the left engine did not react fully and the left turn continued. She retarded the throttles, and the airplane touched down on the grass between taxiway 'N' and runway 7L. After touchdown, the airplane remained on the ground and the right wing collided with the taxiway 'N3' sign. The airplane came to rest on taxiway November.
Postaccident Examination
Weather observations taken 32 minutes before and 28 minutes after the accident did not report any wind gusts. Examination of the taxiway sign revealed that the N3 sign was broken loose from its concrete pad. One mounting leg broke at the shear point, while the remainder of the mounting legs broke away from the pad by breaking the cast mounting plates. A postaccident engine run-up was performed, and no discrepancies were noted.