Incident Description
A flight instructor with 280 hours of experience was providing instruction to a private pilot with 137 hours. The pilot was practicing a normal approach to land a weight-shift experimental light sport aircraft in order to obtain a sport pilot rating. Both occupants were at the control bar.
Sequence of Events
As the aircraft descended to approximately 50 feet above the ground, wind began pushing it to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot was unable to correct the course back to the runway. The instructor then attempted to take over the controls, but there was not a positive exchange of controls. The aircraft continued drifting left, rapidly approaching power lines, buildings, and trees. The instructor determined they could not climb above these obstacles and chose to fly the aircraft onto the ground underneath the power lines.
Damage
The aircraft subsequently collided with a mailbox and a hangar, resulting in substantial damage to the wing. Additional damage occurred to the buggy, a landing gear strut, the propeller, and the windshield.
Statements
The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the aircraft or the engine. The instructor stated that once the aircraft began drifting off the centerline, the landing should have been aborted and a go-around executed.