Accident to the Tecnam P2010 registered F-HFMO on 31/05/2021 at Tours
Loss of control during an engine failure exercise at take-off, at low height, collision with runway, in instruction
The instructor pilot-in-command was scheduled by the training manager to carry out the fifth standardisation flight for two new instructors in the ATO. The instructor pilot-in-command was aware of a list of instructors authorised to carry out the standardisation. He was not on this list as the Chief Flight Instructor (CFI) considered that he did not have enough experience on the aeroplane type. Thinking that he was not authorised, the instructor pilot-in-command informed the training manager of this. The latter maintained the flight as scheduled despite the CFI not being in agreement.
The instructor pilot-in-command felt able to teach the techniques requested, and did not call into question the training manager's decision.
Before the flight, the instructor pilot-in-command carried out a briefing which covered a set of exercises and their training points. He probably did not cover the failure at take-off exercise and the key points for carrying it out.
Once the aeroplane was lined up on the runway, the instructor pilot-in-command called that he was taking the controls. He informed the two instructors on board and the air traffic controller that he intended to carry out an engine failure exercise and land immediately ahead on the
remaining runway.
He simulated the failure at low height and low speed by sharply reducing power. He pushed on the stick to maintain a sufficient speed. Despite his input, the speed globally decreased. The aeroplane, operated at its maximum take-off weight, rapidly lost altitude and energy and collided with the ground during the attempted flare, around five seconds after power had been reduced.