What happened
The Beech Baron 58 was conducting a training flight when the crew initiated a simulated engine failure procedure. At an altitude of 3,000 feet mean sea level (2,500 feet above ground level), the pilot was instructed to simulate an engine failure below minimum control speed (VMC). According to the pilot's account, he lowered the nose of the aircraft, banked toward the functioning engine, and applied full power to that engine.
The instructor pilot provided a conflicting account of the events. The instructor stated that while the pilot did apply full power, he failed to lower the nose of the aircraft. Furthermore, the instructor noted a delay of one to two seconds before taking corrective action. As a result of these actions, the airplane entered a left spin. The instructor pilot subsequently took control of the aircraft. Recovery was attempted as the airplane approached the tops of trees. The aircraft ultimately impacted a wooded area in a nose-down attitude.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the discrepancy between the pilot's and instructor's accounts of the simulated engine failure procedure. Examination of the flight dynamics indicated that the failure to lower the nose and the delay in corrective action contributed to the loss of control.