Accident Overview
A flight instructor was providing commercial flight instruction to a private pilot preparing for a commercial flight test when the airplane collided with terrain at an unattended, public airport. The airplane's left wingtip and left main landing gear first impacted the ground on the north side of the runway, short of the threshold, as indicated by ground scars containing fragments of the left navigation light and parts from the left main landing gear.
Sequence of Events
After the initial impact, the airplane became airborne again for about 120 feet, leaving no ground scar, and then impacted terrain in a near-vertical descent, with enough forward motion to fold the engine under the fuselage. The airplane came to rest upright, with the engine intruding into the forward portion of the passenger cabin from underneath, significantly distorting the cabin area and decreasing survivable space.
Cockpit Configuration
Examination of the cockpit revealed that the landing light and fuel boost pump switches were in the on position, and the landing gear was extended, as in preparation for landing. However, the propeller, mixture, and throttle controls were forward, and the flap handle was up, as if initiating a go-around. The propeller showed signs of high power during impact.
Mechanical Examination
An examination of the engine and airframe disclosed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. The position of the airplane and ground scars, as well as the throttle and flap settings, are consistent with a low altitude, delayed attempt to reject the landing and go-around.