Completely based on assumptions here, I read this as practicing the
'turnaround' maneuver after an engine failure on takeoff.
You know, the manuever that kills lots of pilots every year, the
maneuver that you are taught never to attempt?

If that is true, I would like to know if the Cirrus training curriculum
or the Gene Hudson curriculum calls for this. I wonder how many times
this went well with other students before this had to go bad one day
and result in a crash.

Well, I guess it went well once in this case, the second time it did
not. (if indeed this was the reason, we all don't know)
I wonder who else is teaching students these circus stunts out there.