Background
On 13 February 1998, a Piper PA-34-200 twin-engine aircraft, registration G-AZOT, was conducting a private training flight at Peterborough (Sibson) Airport in Cambridgeshire. The aircraft, manufactured in 1971, was powered by two Lycoming IO-360-C1E6 piston engines. The crew consisted of an instructor holding an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence and a pilot with a Basic Commercial Pilot's Licence (BCPL) being checked out on the type. There was one passenger on board. No injuries were reported.
Flight Details
The instructor had 5,449 hours of total flying experience, with 27 hours on type. The BCPL holder had 509 hours total, of which only two were on the PA-34. Weather conditions were good with a light south-westerly wind, and Runway 25 was in use.
Approach and Landing
During the approach, the handling pilot (the BCPL holder) did not lower the final stage of flap until late, at about 200 feet above the ground. The rate of descent was high, approximately 800 feet per minute. When the instructor requested increased power, the handling pilot did not react. The instructor then took control and attempted to flare the aircraft while increasing power, but was unable to override the handling pilot's hand, which remained on the throttles.
Damage
The aircraft landed heavily, resulting in damage to the left main landing gear, left propeller, both wings, and the stabilator.
Cause
The instructor stated that the accident was caused by his inability to override the handling pilot on the throttles, which also had excessive friction applied.