Accident Details
On July 5, 2016, at approximately 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M airplane, registered as N6576H, collided with terrain near Wonder Lake, Illinois. The airplane was owned by Flagship Phoenix Inc and operated by JB Aviation under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage.
Flight History
The flight instructor was providing instruction in touch-and-go landings at Galt Field. The wind was estimated from the south-southwest at 8 to 12 knots. After two landing attempts on runway 27, the instructor directed the student to land on runway 18. While on final approach for the third landing to runway 18, another airplane announced its intention to take off from runway 27. The instructor observed that the approach path was too low and prompted the student to add power. The instructor then coordinated with the other airplane to deconflict flight paths and did not monitor the student's approach. When the instructor returned to instructing, the approach path remained too low, and there was insufficient time for intervention before the airplane landed short of the runway.
Post-Accident Examination
The left main landing gear separated from the airplane, and the left wing was substantially damaged. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.