Primary finding
Probable cause
the flight instructor's improper (unapproved) procedure of using the mixture control to simulate an engine failure. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While practicing simulated engine out procedures, the flight instructor (CFI) 'pulled the mixture off to simulate [an] engine failure.' When the student pilot did not turn towards a field to land the airplane, the CFI took the controls and attempted unsuccessfully to restart the engine. During an approach for a forced landing in an open field, the airplane hit a barbed wire fence, damaging the left horizontal stabilizer, cowling, and fuselage. The airplane touched down 30 to 50 feet beyond the fence and came to a stop without further damage. After landing, the instructor 'restarted the engine to trouble-shoot, but found no trouble as it started immediately.' FAA publication AC 61-21A stated that the throttle should be used to simulate an engine failure.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 11, 1996, at 0905 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N704RS, owned and operated by Bassett Flight Center, Inc., sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Springdale, Arkansas. The certificated flight instructor and his student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The flight originated at Springdale Municipal Airport, Springdale, Arkansas, at 0825. The flight instructor reported that, while practicing simulated engine out procedures, he had "pulled the mixture off to simulate [an] engine failure." When the student pilot did not turn towards a field to land the airplane, he took the controls and attempted unsuccessfully to restart the engine. During the approach to an open field, the airplane hit a barbed wire fence damaging the left horizontal stabilizer, cowling, and fuselage. The airplane touched down 30 to 50 feet beyond the fence and came to a stop without further damage. The flight instructor further reported that, after landing, "I restarted the engine to trouble-shoot, but found no trouble as it started immediately." FAA publication AC 61-21A states in Chapter 9 - Landing Approaches and Landings\Emergency Approaches (simulated) that, "The instructor should give simulated forced landings by retarding the throttle and calling 'Simulated Forced Landing.'" -