What happened
On August 9, 2018, a Beechcraft Baron G58 was conducting a flight from Lelystad, the Netherlands, to Münster-Osnabrück, Germany. The flight was intended to serve as a training session for the pilot to complete requirements for a multi-engine piston (MEP) rating, accompanied by a flight examiner.
During the second approach to runway 07, the pilot simulated an engine failure by reducing power on the left engine to idle. While the aircraft initially maintained the approach centerline, the crew subsequently reduced power on the right engine as well. At an extremely low altitude, approximately one-third of the way down the runway, the pilot applied full power to the right engine to initiate a go-around maneuver. This sudden application of power, while the aircraft was configured with full flaps and flying at speeds below minimum control limits, triggered a violent roll to the left. The aircraft inverted and struck the ground near the edge of the runway, resulting in two fatalities and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BFU investigation analyzed data from the aircraft's Garmin G1000 NXi system, which was connected to a portable tablet. This data provided precise engine parameters, airspeed, and attitude information. The investigators also reviewed the flight crew's licenses, training records, and the aircraft's maintenance history. The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the transition from single-engine flight to the go-around attempt, as well as the regulatory compliance of the pilot's training status and the examiner's recent experience on this specific aircraft type.
Findings
- The pilot was still in the process of MEP training and had not yet passed the required theoretical examination or completed the full course.
- The flight examiner had significant total experience but lacked recent experience on the Beechcraft Baron G58 and had not completed the required difference training for this specific model.
- The aircraft was flying at speeds below the Single-Engine Minimum Control Speed (VMCA) of 84 KIAS and the Intentional One-Engine-Inoperative Speed (VSSE) of 88 KIAS.
- The primary cause was the initiation of a go-around maneuver with full flaps extended while the aircraft was flying below minimum controllable speeds, which led to an uncontrollable roll.
- The crew was likely unaware of the specific warning in the pilot's manual stating that a one-engine-inoperative go-around should not be attempted after flaps have been fully extended.