On July 1, 1997, a Beech C24R (registration N5156M) was involved in an aviation accident near Old Bridge, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a training flight practicing simulated engine failures, an airplane touched down on grass beside the runway and struck a drainage ditch after the student added full power but the engine did not respond. No pre-impact engine malfunction was found.
Incident Overview
A training flight conducted to practice simulated engine failures concluded with the airplane touching down on grass to the right of the runway and encountering a drainage ditch. The event occurred during the third simulated engine failure of the flight.
Sequence of Events
The flight involved a series of simulated engine failure exercises. The first simulated engine failure was carried out to a landing. The second simulated engine failure ended with a go-around. During the third simulated engine failure, the instructor observed that the airplane was low and verbally instructed the student to add power. The student responded by adding full power, but the engine did not respond. Subsequently, the airplane touched down on the grass, to the right of the runway, and struck a drainage ditch.
Engine Examination
An examination of the engine following the incident revealed no evidence of a pre-impact malfunction.