Undetermined · NTSB ERA12LA535

BEECH 95-A55 — Millville, NJ

1 fatal Low-time pilotBase-to-final turn
DateAugust 29, 2012
LocationMillville, NJ
AircraftBEECH 95-A55
Purpose of flightInstructional
ConditionsDay · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrenceApproach-VFR pattern final Simulated/training event
Pilot age60
Pilot total time217 hrs · Low time
Time in type12 hrs
Fatalities1, 1 serious

Probable cause

The pilot receiving instruction failed to maintain airplane control during the simulated engine-out landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to take timely remedial action.

NTSB findings

  • Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Instructor/check pilot - F

What happened

The pilot receiving instruction was conducting a simulated engine-out emergency landing when the accident occurred. Several eyewitnesses reported that the airplane began to roll to the left while it was in flight. One eyewitness reported hearing the airplane's engines increase in power. During postaccident interviews, the flight instructor stated that the left engine was at the idle power setting to simulate the engine failure for landing; however, he could not recall the events that took place during the accident sequence. Examination of the airframe and engines revealed no anomalies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Review of the private pilot’s medical history revealed nothing to suggest a medical cause for impairment or incapacitation. Therefore, it is likely that during the landing flare, the pilot receiving instruction added power to the right engine and failed to properly compensate for the increased asymmetrical thrust, which resulted in a loss of control.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.

View the official NTSB docket →