Event Details
During a Federal Aviation Administration commercial pilot practical examination, the pilot was asked to execute a simulated engine-out emergency procedure that included a 180-degree turn. The pilot reported that when abeam the runway numbers, he retarded the throttle to idle and turned to final. After the landing flare, the examiner told him to lower the nose, but the airplane stalled and landed hard.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that after the hard landing, the left landing gear collapsed, but the left wing did not impact the ground. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and came to rest in the grass safety area. The pilot did not recall whether the examiner grabbed the flight controls or told him to abort the landing and go around.
Examiner Account
The examiner reported that the pilot's approach was relatively stable. He told the pilot to keep the nose down after the flare, but the airplane stalled and landed hard. The examiner conveyed that the events occurred so quickly that he did not have time to grab the controls. He reported that the left main landing gear collapsed but held enough load to prevent the airplane wing from striking the ground. The airplane exited the runway to the left and came to a stop in the grass safety area without further incident.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Both pilots reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.