What happened
During a training session, the aircraft was cleared for a touch-and-go landing on Runway 17 following a previous overshoot. The approach was conducted using full 45-degree flaps. As the trainee pilot initiated the takeoff roll and reached approximately 80 knots, the aircraft rotated while maintaining the high flap setting. Immediately after liftoff, the engine suffered a total loss of power, which was accompanied by noticeable vibration and buffeting. This caused the aircraft to yaw and roll toward the right as airspeed decreased.
In response to the power loss, the trainee pilot retracted the flaps to 30 degrees. The instructor then assumed control of the aircraft, reduced the throttles, and performed an emergency landing on a grassy area on a magnetic heading of roughly 200 degrees. Following the touchdown, the aircraft traveled across the southwestern taxiway, breached the airfield perimeter fence, and crossed a public road. During this excursion, the undercarriage collapsed. The impact with fence posts ruptured both fuel tanks, though no fire occurred. The crew remained uninjured and successfully evacuated the aircraft before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
Findings
Investigators determined that the primary factor was a complete loss of power from one engine occurring exactly as the aircraft became airborne. Because the rotation took place at 80 knots with the flaps fully extended, the resulting loss of thrust prevented a safe climb-out, leaving the instructor with no option but to land the aircraft while it remained controllable.