Incident Details
A certificated flight instructor was conducting an instructional flight to familiarize a second pilot with ski operations in a ski-equipped airplane. The instructor reported that he took control of the aircraft from the second pilot to demonstrate a touch-and-go landing on a frozen, snow-covered lake. The landing was performed to the east.
After landing, the instructor kept the tail of the airplane up and maintained airspeed just below flying speed. This was done to create ski tracks on the lake to assess the snow conditions. When the airplane reached approximately midway along the lake, the instructor added full engine power. The airplane became airborne but did not climb sufficiently to clear an area of rising terrain covered with trees at the departure end of the lake, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain.
Damage and Examination
The accident caused substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage of the airplane. A postaccident examination revealed no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the aircraft or its systems. The instructor noted that after the accident, he observed occasional strong gusts of wind from the west.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause, as determined by the investigation, was the flight instructor's decision to attempt a touch-and-go landing toward rising terrain and with a tailwind, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain during takeoff.