Incident Overview
A private pilot was receiving training for a tailwheel endorsement. Near the end of the flight, after completing a landing, the pilot climbed the airplane to 600 feet and turned crosswind. At 700 feet, the flight instructor reduced power to simulate an engine failure.
Sequence of Events
The private pilot responded by repeatedly pulling the nose up. The flight instructor issued three verbal commands to "keep the nose down." The pilot then turned the airplane 90 degrees toward the airstrip. According to the instructor, the pilot allowed the airplane to become "too slow and low," prompting the instructor to take control. As control was transferred, the airplane stalled and entered a right spin.
The flight instructor recovered from the spin approximately 30 feet above the ground and added power. Upon seeing trees ahead, he executed a steep turn to avoid them. During the rollout from the steep turn, the airplane's left wing impacted the ground.