What happened
A training mission departed from Dade-Collier Airport, carrying one instructor and four student pilots. The flight was intended to be a local training session. During the takeoff roll on runway 09/27, the instructor intentionally deactivated the left engine to replicate an engine failure scenario. As the pilot-in-command initiated rotation, this sudden change in power caused the aircraft to veer toward the left.
As a result of the imbalance, the left wing made contact with the ground. The aircraft subsequently pitched forward and struck the runway surface. The impact was severe enough to detach the nose gear and cause extensive damage to the cockpit and forward section of the plane. All five occupants sustained injuries during the event, with two individuals suffering serious harm.
Findings
The investigation identified that the aircraft experienced a loss of control during the initial climb phase. Several contributing factors were noted regarding the nature of the flight, including the use of simulated emergency conditions during a trainee upgrade flight. The findings highlighted inadequate supervision and a lack of familiarity with the aircraft by those involved. Ultimately, the accident was driven by the improper operation of flight controls during the engine shutdown maneuver.