What happened
On June 17, 1998, a Beech A36, registration PH-BWG, was conducting a flight test at Eelde Airport. The flight was a re-examination for a student pilot, accompanied by an instructor and an examiner. The flight proceeded normally through the initial circuits until the third circuit, where the crew intended to perform a short-field landing followed by a simulated engine failure after takeoff (EFATO).
During the approach to runway 23, the student pilot selected full landing flaps. As the aircraft approached the runway threshold, the instructor called for a go-around. The student pilot applied full power and raised the nose, but during the climb, the student inadvertently retracted the flaps directly to the "up" position instead of using intermediate steps. Shortly after, at an altitude of approximately 150 to 200 feet, the instructor simulated an engine failure by reducing power.
In response to the simulated failure, the student pilot lowered the nose to attempt a landing on the remaining runway. The instructor took control to manage the declining airspeed but failed to use the standard "my controls" call. Without applying power to recover the descent, the aircraft's sink rate increased rapidly. Both pilots attempted to flare the aircraft, but the high sink rate resulted in a hard landing where the left main gear, nose gear, and right main gear struck the runway in quick succession.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the simulated maneuver and the cockpit communication between the instructor and the student. Investigators examined the aircraft's configuration, specifically the flap settings, and the altitude at which the simulated engine failure was initiated. The investigation also reviewed the flight school's operating manuals regarding the minimum altitudes for such maneuvers and the required communication protocols during control transfers.
Findings
- The student pilot accidentally retracted the flaps to the full "up" position during the go-around, a change that went unnoticed by the instructor.
- The simulated engine failure was initiated at an altitude of 150–200 feet, which was below the recommended minimum of 300 feet specified by both the flight school and the examination commission.
- The instructor failed to recognize the deteriorating situation caused by the improper flap setting and the loss of airspeed.
- During the recovery attempt, the instructor did not utilize available engine power to arrest the descent and failed to use standard verbal commands to signal the transfer of control, leading to uncoordinated inputs from both pilots.