Incident Summary
A flight instructor and a student pilot were conducting a simulated in-flight engine failure landing in a multi-engine airplane. The left engine was set to approximately 12% power to simulate a feathered propeller failure. The exercise proceeded during gusty crosswind conditions.
Sequence of Events
While on final approach to land, the airplane began drifting to the right of the runway centerline. The student pilot reported difficulty controlling the airplane during the single-engine approach due to strong prevailing winds. The instructor advised using more left rudder, but the drift continued. The student decided to abort the landing and initiated a go-around by advancing both engines to full power.
During the go-around, the airplane drifted left. The instructor took control and applied full right rudder. Despite this, the airplane continued drifting left, descended, and impacted vegetation. The landing gear subsequently collapsed.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and empennage. The flight instructor reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, wind was reported from 40 degrees right of the runway centerline at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The calculated crosswind component from the right was between 6 and 10 knots.