On February 8, 2003, a Beech C23 (registration N6555R) was involved in an aviation accident near Pagosa Springs, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Contributing factors were the student pilot's improper flare, the instructor's inadequate remedial actions, and terrain conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an instructional flight, a simulated power loss led to a hard landing. The aircraft drifted left, exited the runway, and sustained landing gear damage.
Event Description
After takeoff and climbing to about 60 feet, the flight instructor simulated an engine power loss by reducing the throttle to idle. The student pilot executed a hard landing, after which the airplane began to drift left. The instructor took over control but could not realign the airplane with the runway. The aircraft departed the left side of the runway, causing the left wheel to separate. Subsequently, the airplane crossed a small ditch, which sheared off the landing gear.
Damage
The left wheel broke off during the runway excursion, and the landing gear was sheared off when crossing the ditch.
Details
The flight was an instructional session. No further details about the aircraft, location, or occupants were provided in the source.