Accident Overview
An instructional flight ended shortly after takeoff when the airplane stalled and crashed into an open field approximately 0.2 miles from the departure end of the runway. The flight was intended to provide instruction in unusual attitude maneuvers, including in-flight loss of control and simulated engine failure after takeoff with a return to the runway for landing. The flight was being conducted by a certified flight instructor (CFI) and a private certificated pilot.
Witness Observations
Ground witnesses reported that during the initial climb, the airplane reached a nose-up attitude of about 45 degrees and climbed to approximately 650 feet above ground level (agl). At that point, the airplane stalled, banked sharply to the left, and then "fell out of the sky." The airplane then descended in a nose-down attitude while reversing direction before impacting the ground.
Wreckage and Examination
Examination of the accident site and wreckage revealed that the airplane impacted the ground in a near-level flight attitude. A post-impact ground fire destroyed the airplane. The airframe and engine were examined, and no evidence of any mechanical malfunction or control system disconnect was found.
Recovery Attempt
The investigation determined that insufficient altitude existed for the CFI to fully recover from the incipient spin/stall that developed.