What happened
A flight training mission intended to familiarize a student pilot with the handling characteristics of the aircraft resulted in a ground impact. The flight was conducted as a dual instruction session, with the instructor providing a briefing that included practice for takeoff and landing procedures. During the lesson, the instructor instructed the student to execute a simulated engine failure approach, which involved reducing engine power to glide toward the airfield.
As the aircraft transitioned through the downwind, base, and final approach legs, the crew performed a left circling turn. During this maneuver, the landing gear was extended. The student pilot inquired about the ability to reach the runway via gliding, to which the instructor responded by advising the maintenance of a 90-knot airspeed.
As the aircraft moved from the base leg onto the final approach, the instructor issued a command to avoid banking. Although the student initially leveled the wings, a left bank developed a second time. Despite the instructor's repeated instruction to avoid banking, the student indicated they were not banking. The instructor attempted to correct the left bank by applying engine power and right rudder. Following this correction, the aircraft rolled into a right bank, leading to the right wing impacting the ground. The aircraft stalled during this short final approach, resulting in one fatality.
Findings
- The flight was a dual instruction session focused on handling characteristics and simulated engine-out procedures.
- The accident occurred during the final approach phase of the flight.
- The aircraft experienced a wing strike following a series of banking maneuvers and subsequent control inputs by the instructor.