Incident Overview
A training flight conducting simulated forced landing exercises ended in a ground contact following a loss of control. The aircraft, under the supervision of a certified flight instructor (CFI) and flown by a commercial pilot, had successfully completed two simulated emergency approaches before the accident occurred on the third attempt.
Sequence of Events
According to both pilots, the third simulated emergency began with the commercial pilot initiating a 180-degree turn to return to the landing strip. During this maneuver, the aircraft's altitude and airspeed became critically low. The CFI observed the situation and added full engine power in an attempt to recover, but the airplane contacted the ground at a slow speed before regaining sufficient lift or control.
Pilot Statements
The commercial pilot stated that upon reaching the landing strip, they were "too low and too slow" to execute a safe landing. The CFI reported that he added full power, but it was too late to prevent the aircraft from contacting the ground. Both pilots confirmed that the accident occurred during the third simulated emergency landing, with no mention of mechanical issues or other contributing factors.
The investigation noted that the aircraft sustained damage from the ground contact, but no further details about injuries or aircraft specifics were provided in the source material. The flight was conducted under visual conditions with no reported air traffic control involvement.
Conclusion
The accident sequence highlights a loss of control during a simulated forced landing, where the aircraft's energy state became insufficient to complete the return maneuver safely. The pilots' accounts emphasize the critical nature of altitude and airspeed management during low-level turns in training scenarios.