What happened
During a positioning flight destined for Edinburgh-Turnhouse Airport, the crew of a four-engine aircraft conducted a training maneuver to simulate an engine malfunction during the takeoff phase. Shortly after departing from Manchester-Ringway Airport, the pilots intentionally deactivated engine number four and feathered the propeller to mimic an in-flight failure.
Following this procedure, the aircraft experienced a sudden and severe yaw to the right. The crew was unable to maintain control of the plane, which subsequently struck the ground in an inverted position. The impact resulted in a post-crash fire. Of the four people on board, three fatalities were recorded, while one flight attendant sustained injuries.
Findings
- The incident occurred during the initial climb phase of flight.
- The loss of control was triggered by the intentional shutdown of engine number four and subsequent propeller feathering during a simulated emergency maneuver.