What happened
On August 21, 2009, at approximately 0305 EDT, a Hawker Beechcraft Corporation 58 bearing registration N167TB collided with terrain during an attempted landing at Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey. The flight, operated by Quest Diagnostics, Inc., was performing a night approach in visual meteorological conditions.
While the flight was scheduled as a single-pilot operation, the pilot-in-corrmand (PIC) allowed a second-in-command (SIC) to occupy the left seat to gain experience. Radar data revealed the aircraft was approaching runway 1 on an extended left base at 204 knots, which significantly exceeded the maximum flap extension speed of 122 knots and the maximum landing gear extension speed of 152 knots.
As the aircraft approached the runway, the pilot flying attempted to reduce speed. During this maneuver, the propellers were inadvertently feathered, resulting in a complete loss of thrust. The aircraft crossed the runway threshold at 300 feet with a ground speed of 186 knots. The airplane overshot the departure end of the runway, struck a sign and a tree, and caught fire. The accident resulted in 1 fatal injury and 1 serious injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found the cockpit, cabin, and both wings were consumed by fire. The left propeller was found in the feathered position at impact, and marks on the right propeller were also consistent with it being feathered.
Technical analysis of the aircraft revealed that the unfeathering accumulators had been removed from the propeller systems to streamline maintenance. Because these accumulators were not present, the crew was unable to quickly unfeather the propellers to reestablish engine power after the error occurred. Examination of the landing gear and flaps showed they were in the down and approach positions, respectively.