Turbine transition training aircraft lands hard following engine surge

Casualties unknown • Anchorage, AK, US

A flight instructor providing turbine transition training experienced an engine surge during landing, resulting in a hard touchdown and substantial fuselage damage.

What happened

A certificated flight instructor was conducting a turbine transition training flight for a second pilot. The aircraft involved, a modified aircraft equipped with a Pratt & Whitney PT6 turbine engine, was undergoing instruction to familiarize the student with the characteristics of turbine powerplants compared to piston engines.

During the approach to runway 31, the instructor noted that the propeller governor control was causing the engine to surge. As the aircraft neared touchdown, the engine experienced another surge while the second pilot was manipulating the flight controls. This resulted in a sudden loss of performance, leading the aircraft to stall and land hard on the runway. The pilot reported that during previous landing attempts in the same session, the student had failed to maintain sufficient power to prevent hard landings.

The impact caused substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage.

Probable cause

An engine surge caused by the propeller governor control led to a stall and a hard landing.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1999-05-29 DE Havilland DHC 2 MK III accident near Anchorage, AK?

A flight instructor providing turbine transition training experienced an engine surge during landing, resulting in a hard touchdown and substantial fuselage damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1999-05-29 involved a DE Havilland DHC 2 MK III, registration N30CC, operated by William A. Sego, at Anchorage, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

An engine surge caused by the propeller governor control led to a stall and a hard landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X18679. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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