Hard Landing During Simulated Engine Failure Training Damages Airplane

Incident Overview

During a training flight in a twin-engine airplane, shortly after takeoff, the flight instructor announced a simulated engine failure and expected the student pilot to land on the remaining runway. The student pilot responded by reducing both engines to idle power, but did not pitch the airplane's nose down enough to maintain sufficient airspeed.

Instructor Intervention

The flight instructor responded by lowering the airplane's nose to the proper attitude before releasing the controls. Moments later, the flight instructor realized that the student pilot was not arresting the rate of descent and was unable to react in time to prevent a hard landing.

Damage

The airplane's fuselage and right wing sustained structural damage during the accident.