Flight and Maneuvers
After takeoff, the flight proceeded to the practice area where the student pilot performed airwork maneuvers. The flight then returned to the departure airport for a planned full-stop landing, entering the traffic pattern for runway 18 on the downwind leg.
Engine Failure Simulation
When the flight was abeam the numbers for runway 18, the CFI positioned the fuel selector to the "off" position to simulate an engine failure, a method he had experienced as a student. About 5 seconds later, while turning onto the base leg, the engine lost power. The student pilot recognized the loss of engine power and went through emergency procedures, which included moving the fuel selector to the "on" position. However, the engine continued to lose rpm and eventually quit after the fuel selector was repositioned.
Emergency Landing
The CFI confirmed the fuel selector was fully in the on position, took control of the airplane on the base leg, pitched for best glide airspeed, and turned toward the runway. An emergency was declared on the UNICOM frequency. The CFI attempted to restart the engine while flying, but restart was unsuccessful. The student helped secure the cockpit as the CFI recognized that the airplane could not reach the runway.
The airplane was landed on grass short of the runway. The main landing gear contacted first, and the CFI attempted to hold the nose landing gear off the ground. However, the nose landing gear collapsed after contacting uneven terrain. Both the CFI and student evacuated the airplane after it came to rest.
Post-Accident Inspection
The CFI reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure. Following recovery of the airplane, the engine was started and operated only to idle rpm; impact damage precluded operation at a higher rpm.