What happened
A flight instructor with 10,000 hours of experience and a commercial pilot receiving multi-engine instruction were conducting local training maneuvers. After completing upper airwork, the crew proceeded to an airport to practice single-engine approaches and landings. Following a demonstration of engine shutdown and restart procedures, the instructor instructed the student to maintain one engine at idle power for a simulated single-engine landing.
During the initial approach to Runway 30, which is an asphalt runway measuring 3,005 feet by 60 feet, the instructor noted that the student appeared to be on a stable approach. However, as the aircraft crossed the landing threshold at approximately 50 feet above the ground, the student pitched the nose up and yawed the aircraft approximately 45 degrees to the right. The flight instructor took control of the aircraft, applying right rudder and pushing the nose down, but the aircraft still impacted the runway with significant force. The impact caused the left main landing gear to collapse, resulting in the aircraft exiting the left side of the runway.
Findings
The student pilot had accumulated a total of 25 hours in twin-engine aircraft at the time of the accident. The flight instructor reported that winds were light and variable during the event. There were no mechanical failures or malfunctions reported during the flight.