20120911022109A

On September 11, 2012, at approximately 1615 local time (2115 UTC), the airman, holder of a certified flight instructor (CFI) certificate with airplane single engine and instrument airplane ratings, was involved in an aircraft accident while demonstrating a simulated engine failure to a landing at the Salina municipal airport (ksln), Salina, Kansas. The aircraft involved in this accident is owned and operated by a 14 CFR part 141 pilot school. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident with winds from the south at 17 knots, gusting to 31 knots; the aircraft was utilizing runway 18. Prior to this accident, the airman was providing pre-solo flight instruction to the student pilot; this particular lesson introduced engine failures and abnormal/emergency procedures. The CFI occupied the right seat and the student pilot was in the left; an additional student pilot was observing this flight lesson from the back seat. According to the airman, upon completion of the local practice area airwork, the student pilot maneuvered the aircraft for its landing on runway 17; runway 17 is 12,300 feet in length. Prior to departure, the airman briefed the student pilot and observer pilot that upon completing a full-stop landing on runway 17, that the CFI would resume control of the aircraft and demonstrate a, "fan stop." The purpose of this maneuver is to demonstrate to the student pilot an engine failure after takeoff that results in a landing on the runway; for this maneuver, a climb to 200 feet above ground level (AGL) is accomplished prior to the simulated loss of engine power. During the arrival segment, the CFI stated that air traffic control had the aircraft extend its downwind for runway 17 due to landing and departing traffic; a turn to final occurred approximately 3 to 4 nautical miles north of the airport. ATC subsequently requested the aircraft to maneuver for landing on runway 18; this runway is 4,301 feet in length. According to the airman, the student pilot executed a normal full-stop landing on runway 18; the aircraft touched-down just after the runway threshold and rolled to a stop approximately 1,000 feet down the runway. At this moment, the CFI resumed control of the aircraft and executed a normal takeoff; the aircraft was configured with the flaps set a 10 degrees and an initial climb speed of 60 knots, subsequently accelerating to 79 knots. The airman indicated that a pre-departure briefing included calculations of the takeoff and landing distances of 1,200 feet and 1,000 feet respectively; prior to conducting the takeoff, only 3,300 feet remained in which to conduct the takeoff, climb to 200 feet AGL and execute the full-stop landing. At 200 feet AGL, the CFI stated that the throttle was reduced to idle to simulate an engine failure after takeoff. Immediately, the aircraft was maneuvered to maintain best glide speed of 65 knots; the flaps remained set at 10 degrees. As the aircraft descended the airman stated that the intent was to not only demonstrate an engine failure to touchdown, but also to reinforce the proper round-out (flare) transition altitude to the student pilots; the airman stated that the student pilots frequently transitioned to the landing attitude at an altitude much higher than desired. Upon initiating this transition to the touchdown attitude, the airman stated that the aircraft flared high and touched-down harder than has been previously experienced; a go-around maneuver was never attempted nor considered according to the airman. After taxiing clear of the runway, the airman stated that it felt as though the left brake rotor was, "warped;" a post-flight inspection revealed that the landing gear and tail section were visibly damaged during touchdown. A post-accident inspection by the pilot school's director of maintenance revealed substantial damage to the aircraft's firewall, landing gear structure and empennage; no injuries were sustained.