NTSB Factual Report

On January 26, 2002, at 1000 central standard time, a Cessna 152 single-engine airplane, N47802, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a simulated forced landing near Ardmore, Oklahoma. The airplane was registered to and operated by Versatile Aviation Inc., of Ardmore, Oklahoma. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight originated from the Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport, Ardmore, Oklahoma, at 0950.

According to the flight instructor, the airplane was at 4,500 feet msl when he reduced the throttle to idle to simulate an engine failure. The student accomplished the emergency procedures for a simulated forced landing to a grass airstrip. The airplane touched down on the grass airstrip, and the flight instructor instructed the student to go-around. The student established the airplane in a climb; however, the pitch attitude was "too steep and the flight instructor corrected the control inputs to prevent a stall." The airplane was climbing through 1,000 feet when the instructor reduced the throttle to idle. The student again accomplished the emergency procedures for an engine failure and made an approach to a field. The flight instructor stated that the field selected by the student contained a ridgeline, and subsequently, he instructed the student to land in a suitable field adjacent to the ridgeline. The approach was accomplished with the carburetor heat on and the flaps retracted. The airplane was descending through 50 feet agl when the sink rate began to increase. The flight instructor advanced the throttle to full-power, turned the carburetor heat off, and initiated a go-around; however, a climb was not attained. Subsequently, the left wing contacted trees, and the airplane impacted the ground. Both wings were structurally damaged during the impact. The flight instructor added that the engine was developing full power during the attempted go-around.

The flight instructor reported that he had been ill during the day prior to the accident and had not slept during the night previous to the accident.

The flight instructor reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), in the section "Recommendation (How could this accident have been prevented?)," that he could have initiated power for the recovery before getting so low on the approach or he could have executed a full-stop landing. He also reported that he could have cancelled the flight due to his lack of sleep.

NTSB Probable Cause

the instructor pilot's delayed go-around which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A contributing factor to the accident was the instructor pilot's fatigued condition due to lack of sleep.