What happened
On December 24, 2004, a Beechcraft 65 A 90, registration F-GVRM, was conducting a flight test for a type rating qualification at Montpellier Méditerranée Airport. The crew consisted of a candidate pilot, an examiner, and an instructor acting as a passenger.
After performing local maneuvers, the pilot requested to return to the airport for additional circuits. While on a downwind leg for runway 31R, the pilot notified air traffic control of an intention to perform a go-around followed by a new circuit. During the approach, the aircraft was likely performing an engine-out exercise. At an altitude of approximately 150 feet, the pilot initiated a go-around. Following the go-around, the aircraft experienced a significant loss of control, banking sharply to the right and then to the left. The aircraft's speed decreased significantly before it banked abruptly to the left and struck the surface of a pond located near the runway. All three occupants were killed.
The investigation
The BEA investigation focused on the flight sequence and the aircraft's performance during the engine-out maneuver. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed no anomalies, and confirmed the aircraft was within weight and balance limits.
Analysis of the cockpit environment revealed that the pilot's emergency checklist was open to the sections regarding engine failure in flight and dual engine failure. While the aircraft was not equipped with flight recorders, radar data and radio transcriptions were used to reconstruct the flight path. The investigation also noted that the examiner was seated in the front right seat, which was not the most advantageous position for monitoring an engine-out procedure.
Findings
- The crew lost control of the aircraft at a very low altitude during a go-around.
- The accident was likely caused by inappropriate flight control management during the go-around while operating on a single engine.
- The examiner's recent instructional experience with the BE 90 type was limited.
- The examiner's position in the front right seat may have hindered effective monitoring of the engine-out exercise.
- The low altitude during the go-around left insufficient margin to recover speed if the power application was delayed or if the aircraft's trim was not properly managed.