On December 14, 1984, a Beech 300 (registration N6823M) was involved in an aviation accident near Hutchinson, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The combination of power reduction and increased profile drag on the propellers was excessive for the desired result. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During late final approach, a student pilot sharply reduced power and advanced propeller controls to full, causing excessive drag. The aircraft settled onto the runway despite the instructor's throttle advance, resulting in a hard landing that damaged the wing spar carry through assembly.
Incident
On late final approach, the pilot under instruction reduced engine power sharply to correct a slightly high approach and simultaneously advanced the propeller controls to their full increase setting. The combination of the power reduction and the increased profile drag from the propellers was excessive for the desired correction. Consequently, the aircraft settled onto the runway surface, even though the instructor pilot advanced the throttle in an attempt to prevent the descent.
Damage
The ensuing hard landing caused substantial damage to the wing spar carry through assembly.
Probable cause
The combination of power reduction and increased profile drag on the propellers was excessive for the desired result.