Event CEN12CA041

Factual narrative

The student pilot and flight instructor were practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 26R. While on downwind, the flight instructor retarded the throttle to simulate an emergency. The student pilot continued to fly the airplane and during the landing flare, the airplane began to descend at a faster-than-normal rate. Both the student pilot and the flight instructor attempted to recover; however, the airplane impacted the ground in a left wing low attitude. The empennage separated from the fuselage, and all four engine mounts were broken. The operator reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Winds at the time of the accident were recorded as 240 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The student pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) were practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. While on the downwind leg in the traffic pattern, the CFI retarded the throttle to simulate an emergency. The student pilot continued the approach and initiated a forward slip to correct for an altitude deviation. He continued the slip until 25 feet above ground level, at which time he added power and initiated a go-around. The airplane started to roll to the left and, at 20 degrees, the CFI took control of the airplane. The CFI attempted to counter the roll, but the airplane was unresponsive, and he decided to land. The airplane impacted in a left-wing-low attitude. The empennage separated from the fuselage, and all four engine mounts were broken. The operator reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Instructor/check pilot - C
• F Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student pilot - F