Introduction
A training flight involving a certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot ended with a runway excursion at Orlando Country Airport in Florida. The pilots were conducting touch-and-go landings when the engine experienced a loss of power, leading to a precautionary landing that resulted in the airplane departing the runway and striking a ditch.
Event Details
The CFI reported that during the initial climbout from Sanford, he noticed a slight, brief engine vibration, but the engine gauges indicated normal parameters, so he continued the flight. While performing touch-and-go landings at Orlando Country Airport, the student pilot informed the CFI that the airplane was not performing or climbing normally on upwind. During a takeoff following a touch-and-go demonstration by the CFI, while still in ground effect, the engine "sputtered," and the CFI was unable to establish a positive climb rate. He initiated a precautionary landing with approximately one-third of the runway remaining. He then applied the brakes, but the airplane continued beyond the departure end of the runway and impacted a ditch.
In written statements to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, both the CFI and the student pilot said that the takeoff "did not go as planned" and that they needed to collect their thoughts before providing a statement to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Witness Account
A witness to the accident reported hearing the accident airplane power up and power down, followed by the sound of brakes locking up. The nearest official weather observation was from Orlando Executive Airport, which indicated wind from 310 degrees at 5 knots at the time of the accident. The pilots were conducting touch-and-go landings on Runway 15, which has a published length of 2,675 feet and a width of 120 feet.
Engine Examination
An examination of the engine revealed that the number one cylinder's spark plugs were fouled with lead and oil.