Accident Overview
A flight instructor and a student pilot departed on an introductory instructional flight. After performing basic flight maneuvers in a training area, they flew to Flying U Ranch Airport in Union Mills, Indiana. The instructor planned to demonstrate a simulated forced landing followed by a go-around to runway 18, a grass strip measuring 2,745 feet by 100 feet. At the time of the demonstration, the runway was reportedly covered with approximately 12 to 14 inches of snow.
Maneuver and Descent
The flight instructor reduced engine power to idle from an altitude of 2,000 feet mean sea level and executed a descent to about 5 to 6 feet above ground level at 60 knots indicated airspeed. During this descent, the instructor did not increase engine throttle to "clear the engine."
Go-Around and Impact
When the instructor applied full throttle during the go-around, the engine hesitated and the airplane continued to descend. The main landing gear wheels, followed by the airplane nose, contacted the snow. Subsequently, the left wing and then the right wing struck the ground, causing both wings to buckle. The airplane sustained substantial damage.
Pilot Information
The flight instructor had accumulated a total flight time of 2,163 hours as an instructor.
Damage and Conditions
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. No other details about injuries or the aircraft type were provided.