What happened
During a scheduled proficiency check flight, a company chief pilot was conducting a training session for a first officer. An FAA inspector was also present on board to evaluate the check pilot's instructional performance. The flight involved a second takeoff attempt, during which the instructor simulated an engine failure.
At the time of the maneuver, the first officer was utilizing a vision-limiting device. Following the simulated failure, the aircraft drifted toward the left side of the runway; however, the inspector observed that the first officer managed to restore directional control. Shortly after this correction, the aircraft began a descent. The plane subsequently struck the ground.
Findings
Investigation of the cockpit voice recorder indicated that the check pilot remained silent from the onset of the simulated engine failure until the moment of impact. The inspector noted that during the descent, the check pilot was looking out of the left side of the aircraft and was not positioned to immediately adjust the power quadrant. No mechanical issues or maintenance deficiencies were identified in the aircraft. The first officer was experienced with the aircraft type, having logged 3,925 hours in the model.
There were zero fatalities reported, though the circumstances of the crash involved a failure to maintain flight parameters during a critical training maneuver.