Aircraft collision with terrain during simulated engine failure training

Casualties unknown • LA Verne, CA, US

A multiengine training flight resulted in a terrain collision when an instructor failed to restore fuel flow following a simulated engine failure.

What happened

During a multiengine training flight, the crew was conducting an exercise involving a simulated engine failure. To initiate the simulation, the certified flight instructor turned the right engine fuel selector to the "off" position. The student pilot correctly identified the failed engine and followed proper procedures to maintain control of the aircraft type.

As the aircraft approached short final, approximately 100 feet above ground level, it was noted that the airplane was high and misaligned with the runway. The instructor decided to execute a go-around, at which point the student applied full throttle to both engines. However, the aircraft was unable to maintain airspeed or establish a positive rate of climb.

The instructor attempted to take control of the aircraft to continue the go-around, but the airplane failed to climb and drifted right across another runway. The aircraft entered a gradual descent, during which the stall warning horn activated. The right wing subsequently impacted the terrain, causing the aircraft to spin on the ground. There were no injuries reported.

The investigation

During the investigation, the instructor stated that he had become distracted and failed to return the fuel selector to the "on" position after the student identified the simulated failure. This oversight meant the right engine did not respond to throttle inputs during the critical go-around phase. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures occurred prior to the impact.

Probable cause

The instructor's failure to restore fuel flow to the right engine following a simulated engine failure, combined with pilot distraction, prevented the aircraft from achieving a positive rate of climb during a go-around.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2004-03-31 Piper PA34-200 accident near LA Verne, CA?

A multiengine training flight resulted in a terrain collision when an instructor failed to restore fuel flow following a simulated engine failure.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2004-03-31 involved a Piper PA34-200, registration N74SA, at LA Verne, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The instructor's failure to restore fuel flow to the right engine following a simulated engine failure, combined with pilot distraction, prevented the aircraft from achieving a positive rate of climb during a go-around.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040427X00517. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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