On July 14, 1990, a Piper PA-23 (registration N44HH) operated by Joseph R. Scioscia was involved in an aviation accident near Shirley, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S LACK OF QUALIFICATIONS, THE IMPROPER USE OF FLIGHT CONTROLS, THE SECOND PILOT'S LACK OF QUALIFICATIONS, AND HIS DECISION TO SIMULATE THE ENGINE FAILURE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot with 4 hours in make and model initiated a takeoff in a multi-engine airplane. A simulated engine failure was performed, after which the airplane descended and contacted the ground off the right side of the departure runway.
Pilot Certifications
The pilot at the controls held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land airplane rating. The second pilot held a commercial certificate with a multi-engine rating but did not hold a flight instructor certificate.
Takeoff and Maneuver
The private pilot initiated a takeoff in the multi-engine airplane. A police officer/pilot observed the airplane at approximately 75 to 100 feet in the air. The airplane then descended after a simulated engine failure.
Outcome
The airplane contacted the ground off the right side of the departure runway. The pilot indicated a total time of 4 hours in make and model.