Accident Overview
A flight instructor was conducting a biennial flight review for the private pilot and owner of the airplane. The private pilot departed from a 5,008-foot-long runway, performed a touch-and-go landing without incident, and entered the traffic pattern for a simulated short-field landing.
Sequence of Events
While on short final approach, the airplane struck a berm that was located just prior to the runway. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the landing gear and the right wing.
Pilot Accounts
The flight instructor stated that he realized the airplane was low and expected the private pilot to add engine power; however, he did not attempt to manipulate the flight controls or provide any verbal instructions. The private pilot stated that he also realized the airplane was low but did not react prior to contact with the ground. Both pilots indicated that they did not experience any preaccident malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot Experience
The private pilot reported about 600 hours of total flight experience, which included about 475 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The flight instructor reported about 3,430 hours of total flight experience, which included about 200 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.