Accident Overview
A flight instructor and a student pilot were performing touch-and-go landings at an airport. After the first touch-and-go, the airplane climbed to about 200 feet above the runway. At that altitude, the engine began to run rough and lose revolutions per minute (rpm).
Attempted Return to Runway
The flight instructor attempted to return to the runway. The airplane subsequently landed hard approximately 80 feet short of a water retention pond, then rolled into the pond and came to rest inverted.
Post-Accident Observations
The instructor reported that there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. During the accident sequence, the tail separated from the cabin section.
Investigation Status
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) did not examine the airplane. The specific factor that precipitated the loss of engine power remains unknown.