Accident Details
A certified flight instructor (CFI) was providing instruction to a student pilot on a maneuver involving a return to the departure runway following an engine failure. According to the CFI, as the aircraft crossed the departure end of runway 36 at approximately 700 feet above ground level, he closed the throttle to simulate the failure. The student initiated a left turn back toward the runway, employing a bank angle of about 60 degrees to align with the runway. During the turn, the student applied an excessive rudder input, which caused the aircraft to stall and enter a spin.
Recovery and Impact
The CFI took control of the aircraft and executed a spin recovery. However, during the recovery, the airplane struck an 8-inch diameter oak tree. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the accident reported that, given the altitude at which the CFI recovered, there was insufficient distance for the airplane to clear the grove of oak trees. The aircraft impacted the tree in a climbing attitude, resulting in a break in the fuselage and bending of the left landing gear. Following the impact, the airplane rotated counterclockwise and fell tail-first through the remaining trees before impacting the ground. It then fell over, coming to rest inverted.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, the pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or any of its systems prior to the event. No other contributing factors were identified in the investigation.