Accident Details
A Twin Beech (C-45H) departed on a local training flight with the pilot/owner in the left seat and a flight instructor in the right seat. The purpose of the flight was to conduct a flight review.
Sequence of Events
Shortly after departure, the left engine began to shake and subsequently seized. While the flight instructor reached for the emergency checklist, the pilot/owner inadvertently feathered the good engine. The flight instructor then took control of the airplane and performed a forced landing.
Pilot Experience
The pilot/owner had 55 hours in make and model, with no flight time in the preceding 90 days. The feathering buttons were accessible only to the pilot/owner, who had never unfeathered an engine in flight and was not familiar with the procedures necessary to restart the engine. Consequently, he was unable to assist in unfeathering the engine for a restart attempt.
Conclusion
The forced landing was executed by the flight instructor after the left engine failed and the remaining engine was inadvertently feathered.