On June 7, 2007, a Piper PA-44-180 (registration N2173S) operated by Hortman Aviation Services was involved in an aviation accident near Lumberton, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor's improper decision to simulate an engine failure in the traffic pattern by cutting off fuel to the engine, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a training flight, a simulated left engine failure prompted a go-around. The instructor forgot to restore fuel, leading to loss of directional control and collapse of the left main gear.
Accident Overview
A Piper PA-44 experienced substantial damage during a training flight when directional control was lost during a go-around. The airplane exited the runway, causing the left main landing gear to collapse. No mechanical deficiencies were reported with the airplane.
Flight Details
According to the flight instructor, he was conducting a training flight with a student. He simulated a left engine failure by cutting off fuel to the left engine. The student entered the traffic pattern for runway 19. Upon touchdown, the student reported that "the rear of the airplane and the right wing raised off the ground." The instructor instructed the student to go around. The airplane began to track left, and the instructor took the controls but was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane subsequently exited the runway, collapsing the left main gear.
Post-Accident Remarks
The flight instructor reported that he must have "forgotten to turn the fuel back on" during the go-around. The student pilot confirmed that the instructor had simulated the engine failure by cutting off fuel. No other issues were identified.