NTSB Factual Report

The light sport airplane impacted the ground during a landing approach in which the student pilot was performing a simulated short field landing. At the time of the accident, a designated examiner was administering a practical test to the student pilot for a Sport Pilot Certificate. The examiner stated that the accident occurred on the second landing while the student pilot was performing a simulated short field landing. He stated that the airplane became too slow on the approach, stalled, and impacted the runway at a high rate of descent. The student pilot reported that after clearing the simulated 50 foot high obstacle, he cut the power and the airplane dropped nose down and to the left, striking the runway with the nose landing gear and left main landing gear simultaneously. Neither pilot mentioned any pre-impact mechanical deficiencies with regard to the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing during the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the landing approach which resulted in an inadvertent stall and impact with the runway.