Flight Details
The flight was conducted as an instrument training session at local area airports. The aircraft departed from its home base approximately one hour before the accident. No discrepancies with the engine were noted during the flight or the approach to land.
Missed Approach and Emergency
Upon reaching the minimum descent altitude, the certified flight instructor (CFI) directed the student to perform a missed approach. The aircraft climbed straight ahead to 500 feet mean sea level and initiated a left-hand turn to comply with the missed approach procedure. During this maneuver, the engine began to lose power. The CFI declared an emergency and executed the emergency checklist. She turned the aircraft toward the runway and slipped it downward in an attempt to land. However, realizing the altitude was insufficient to reach the runway, she aimed for a grassy area beyond the departure end of the runway. The aircraft was still too high for a landing, requiring the CFI to maneuver to avoid the airport perimeter fence. After turning away from the fence, the CFI returned the aircraft to wings-level flight. As the wheels touched down, the nose wheel dug into soft dirt, causing the aircraft to flip over and come to rest inverted.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the engine revealed that the exhaust push rod housing and the exhaust push rod were bent. The crankshaft was manually rotated, and valve train continuity was confirmed. No other discrepancies were found with the engine.