N1493H

On July 10, 1998, about 0830 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-201, N1493H, collided with the runway during takeoff at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport, Vero Beach, Florida. The airplane was operated by FlightSafety International, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the local, instructional flight. The commercial flight instructor and the commercial pilot under instruction were not injured, however the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the operator, one pilot was receiving instruction to be a certified flight instructor (CFI), and was operating the flight controls. He requested an option takeoff from the tower, to accomplish a simulated engine failure on takeoff, with a landing straight ahead on the departure runway, runway 22. About 50 to 100 feet above the ground, he reduced the throttle to initiate the simulated engine malfunction. When the airplane was flared for the simulated emergency landing, a high sink rate was not arrested, and the airplane collided with the runway. The airplane came to rest in the intersection of runway 22 and 29.