What happened
On September 12, 2017, a Cessna T182T, registration N946CA, was conducting a proficiency check for a pilot as part of an organizational requirement for the Civil Air Patrol. After performing area work, the aircraft returned to the airport, where the pilot landed and taxied to the departure end of the runway.
During the flight, the flight instructor took control of the aircraft to demonstrate a rejected takeoff following a simulated engine failure. While at an altitude of approximately 50 to 100 feet, the instructor retarded the throttle, lowered the nose, and extended the flaps to 40°. This maneuver resulted in an excessive sink rate. The aircraft touched down in a slightly nose-up attitude, bounced, and subsequently rolled to a stop.
There were no injuries resulting from the event.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the fuselage had sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures present prior to the accident that would have prevented normal operation.