NTSB Factual Report

On February 1, 2004, about 0850 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172RG, N9515B, piloted by a private pilot receiving instruction from a certified flight instructor (CFI), sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on runway 13 at Andrews University Airpark, near Berrien Springs, Michigan, following a simulated loss of engine power during takeoff and subsequent emergency landing after takeoff. The instructional flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and CFI reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot's accident report stated:

At approximately 0830 after pre-flighting Cessna 172 RG

N9515B, I was instructed by [the] CFI, to perform a

short field take off on runway 13. I taxied onto the

runway, aligned the aircraft with the center line and

stopped. I applied the brakes and full power in the

usual fashion. The brakes were released, and as

airspeed increased with our ground roll, I rotated the

aircraft at 60 knots indicated air speed. On climb out,

the air speed was held between 63 and 65 knots (Vy). To

simulate an engine failure, the CFI reduced the throttle.

Immediately upon noticing the loss of power, I lowered

the nose of the aircraft to avoid loss of airspeed and to

avoid a wing stall. While maintaining control of the

aircraft, altitude was lost. An attempt was made to

flare the aircraft before contact with the runway.

Subsequently, a hard landing was made, and the aircraft

came to a complete stop on the runway.

The CFI's accident report stated:

We had a normal startup and taxi out. We proceeded to the

end of runway 13 and the runup was normal. We then made a

short field takeoff and during the takeoff I simulated an

engine failure. We immediately pushed the nose over but

with insufficient airspeed we developed a high sink rate

and made a hard landing.

The CFI stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions associated with the airplane during the flight.

At 0853, the recorded weather at the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport, near Benton Harbor, Michigan, was: Wind calm; visibility 4 statute miles; present weather mist; sky condition overcast 6,500 feet; temperature -5 degrees C; dew point -7 degrees C; altimeter 30.46 inches of mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining airspeed leading to an excessive sink rate during a simulated emergency landing after takeoff. An additional cause was the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision.