What happened
During a local training flight intended to maintain insurance currency for a commercial pilot, a simulated engine failure occurred during the initial climb. The flight instructor initiated the maneuver by reducing engine power to flight idle and feathering the propeller at an altitude of 1,200 feet above ground level. In response to the simulated failure, the pilot adjusted the pitch and began a 45-degree left bank to return to the airport.
As the aircraft glided toward the runway, the instructor noted that the altitude was lower than anticipated but believed a safe landing was possible without increasing power. However, as the aircraft crossed the runway threshold at 40 feet above ground level, the instructor attempted to abort the maneuver by advancing the power lever and increasing the pitch. Because the propeller remained in the feathered position, the aircraft failed to produce sufficient thrust. This lack of power, combined with the increased pitch, caused the airspeed to drop rapidly, leading to an aerodynamic stall approximately 30 feet above the ground. The aircraft struck the runway before sliding into a nearby grassy area.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the loss of control during the maneuver. The instructor noted that the landing gear had been left extended following takeoff, which decreased the climb gradient and degraded the aircraft's glide performance, causing the plane to be further from the airport than expected. Additionally, the instructor failed to advance the propeller control during the abort attempt, meaning the engine power increase did not result in increased thrust. Finally, the instructor indicated that a delayed decision to abort the maneuver and a failure to maintain a safe airspeed after taking control of the aircraft reduced the margin of safety.