What happened
During a radar tracking mission over the North Sea, an aircraft departed from Den Helder-De Kooy Airport. The flight proceeded without incident until the return leg of the mission. Upon landing on runway 03, the crew engaged the thrust reverser systems, at which point the aircraft became difficult to control.
In an effort to regain stability and execute a right-hand turn, the pilot transitioned the left throttle out of the reverse setting. To manage the situation, the pilot feathered the right propeller and shut off the fuel supply, which led to the shutdown of the right engine. Consequently, the aircraft drifted left of the runway and ended up in a ditch. While the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair, both pilots managed to exit the wreckage uninjured.
Findings
- The loss of control occurred immediately following the activation of the thrust reverser systems during the landing roll.