On October 12, 1993, a Beech C90A (registration N487JD) operated by Iasco was involved in an aviation accident near Napa, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The dual student inadvertently placed both power levers in reverse during a short field landing practice. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a short field landing practice, a dual student inadvertently placed both power levers in reverse, causing the aircraft to veer left, pitch down, and land hard, damaging the wing spars and engine mounts.
Incident Overview
During a training flight configured for a short field landing practice on Runway 24, the dual student established the proper glidepath and airspeed. As the airplane crossed the threshold, the student inadvertently moved both power levers into reverse pitch, causing the airplane to veer sharply to the left and then pitch nose-down.
Pilot Response
The certified flight instructor (CFI) immediately advanced both power levers to full power and applied right rudder and up elevator inputs. Despite these corrective actions, the airplane continued to pitch downward and landed hard.
Damage
The hard landing resulted in structural damage to the wing spars and engine mounts. No other damage was reported.
Operational Context
The flight was conducted as a dual instructional flight practicing short field landing procedures. No other aircraft or personnel were involved.
Probable cause
The dual student inadvertently placed both power levers in reverse during a short field landing practice.