What happened
During a flight training session near Lake St. John, Orillia, Ontario, a Cessna 172P float-equipped aircraft, registration C-GNRJ, was performing maneuvers to practice take-offs, landings, and simulated engine failures. Following a second takeoff, the instructor pilot simulated an engine failure by reducing the throttle to idle during the climb.
In response to the simulated failure, the student pilot attempted a 180-degree turn to return to Lake St. John. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a stall, pitched its nose downward, and crashed into a swampy area along the shoreline. The aircraft landed in an inverted position with its nose embedded in the marsh. Local fishermen rescued both the instructor and the student from the partially submerged plane. Both occupants sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The investigation established that the aircraft was in a serviceable condition and the weather was favorable at the time of the accident. However, the pre-flight briefing was informal and did not specifically prepare the student for an engine failure occurring at such a low altitude. While previous training had introduced engine failures at altitudes of at least 1,000 feet, this instance occurred during the initial climb.
Investigators found that as the aircraft performed the turn, control was either transferred to or taken by the instructor. During this period, the aircraft's altitude and airspeed were insufficient to ensure a successful forced landing. Crucially, neither the student nor the instructor applied engine power to abort the simulated forced approach. Additionally, it was noted that neither occupant was wearing the provided shoulder harnesses, which likely increased the severity of their injuries.
Findings
- The instructor allowed a dangerous situation to develop and continue until the aircraft stalled at an altitude where recovery was impossible.
- The lack of use of shoulder harnesses contributed to the severity of the injuries sustained by both the instructor and the student.
- The training flight lacked a detailed, formal pre-flight briefing, leaving the student unprepared for the low-altitude simulated emergency.
- Existing flight training manuals and manufacturer handbooks lack sufficient guidance for pilots to determine a minimum safe altitude for executing a 180-degree turn following an engine failure.