No fatalities

16 Jan 2020: Beech 76 No Series — St Charles Flying Service Inc — St. Charles, MO

St. Charles, MO, United States
SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a multi-engine training landing, a pilot misunderstood an instructor's power adjustment instruction, leading to a roll and ground impact. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; no injuries occurred.

Incident Overview

A multi-engine training flight concluded with a ground impact during a simulated single-engine landing. The accident occurred after the pilot misinterpreted a flight instructor's command regarding engine power, resulting in a loss of control and substantial damage to the aircraft.

Sequence of Events

The pilot and flight instructor had completed approximately two hours of multi-engine flight training. They were performing a "zero thrust, single engine" full stop landing. During the final approach, a sink rate developed, prompting the flight instructor to instruct the pilot to "add a small amount of power to the right operating engine." The pilot misunderstood the instruction as "abort" and applied full power to the right engine, intending to abort the landing. The application of full power caused the airplane to roll left. In response, the flight instructor added right rudder to arrest the roll. However, the left wing struck the ground, and the airplane rotated left on the ground. The impact substantially damaged the airplane's left wing and collapsed all three landing gear.

Pilot Status

Neither pilot was injured in the event.

Mechanical Condition

An examination of the aircraft revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Student/instructed pilotLateral/bank control — Not attained/maintainedInstructor/check pilotIncorrect use/operation