ARLINGTON, SD, USA
N8371V
Champion 7GCAA
After practicing touch and go landings and climbing to 1,000 feet agl, the CFI pulled the throttle back to simulate a loss of engine power. He reported that the student pilot applied carburetor heat, verified the mixture setting, and fuel selector position. The CFI reported the student advanced the throttle and the student reported the CFI 'rapidly' advanced the throttle upon completion of the simulated emergency. Engine power was not regained when the throttle was advanced. A forced landing was accomplished against the plowed rows in an open field. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing contacted the terrain during the landing. The CFI reported 'clearing the engine if loaded with fuel' may have prevented the accident. Both the CFI and the student pilot reported there was no mechanical failure/malfunction with the airplane.
On March 30, 2000, at 1815 central standard time, a Champion 7GCAA, N8371V, collided with the terrain following a loss of engine power while maneuvering over a field in Arlington, South Dakota. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the certified flight instructor (CFI) or the private pilot on board were injured. The Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Arlington, South Dakota, about 1800 cst. The CFI reported that after practicing touch and go landings at Arlington, they departed the airport to return to Brookings, South Dakota. He stated that after leveling off at 1,000 feet above ground level, he reduced the engine power to idle to simulate a loss of engine power. He reported that the student pilot applied carburetor heat, verified the mixture setting, and fuel selector position. The CFI reported that upon completing the simulated emergency, the student advanced the throttle. He reported, "He advanced the throttle, (and even though before this I could hear the engine firing at low RPM), when the throttle was advanced, the engine did not increase revolutions. We retarded the throttle again, and tried to increase it slowly, but the same thing happened, (no increase in revolutions). The student tried to lean the mixture, and then increase the throttle, but this had no effect in the situation at all." The student reported that the CFI retarded the throttle to simulate a loss of engine power. He said that after a 500 foot descent, the CFI instructed him to recover. He reported ,"Before I could apply power my instructor advanced the throttle rapidly and the engine did not respond." The student reported they had overshot the field he chose during the simulated emergency. He reported they chose another field and from the air the plowed rows appeared to run north/south. During the landing it was discovered that the rows actually ran east/west. The left main landing gear collapsed during the landing on the rough terrain and the left wing contacted the terain. On his 6120.1/2, under the section "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented" the CFI reported "clearing the engine if loaded with fuel." Both the CFI and the student pilot reported there was no mechanical failure/malfunction with the airplane.
the CFI's improper use of the throttle control during a simulated loss of engine power emergency. A factor associated with the accident was the rough terrain on which the forced landing was conducted.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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