Sequence of Events
During a simulated emergency landing, the airplane was performing an abbreviated approach where the turn from base to final was rounded instead of the traditional square pattern. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that at approximately 150 feet AGL while turning onto final, they observed the airplane was overshooting the runway centerline and had an excessive sink rate. The CFI assumed control and applied full power; however, the descent continued. The airplane subsequently "dropped out of the sky, and pancaked onto the ground" adjacent to the runway.
Aircraft Weight and Environmental Conditions
The airplane's weight at takeoff was 180 pounds over gross, and at the time of the accident it was still 92 pounds over gross. The density altitude was approximately 5,300 feet. The airplane landed in an easterly direction. Winds were from the south-southwest at 20 knots.
Flight Instructor Actions
The CFI was providing instruction on the abbreviated approach technique. After recognizing the deviation from the intended flight path and the excessive sink rate, the CFI took control and initiated a go-around by applying full power. Despite this action, the airplane continued to descend, resulting in the hard landing.