The pilot receiving instruction in the multi-engine airplane reported that, during the run-up, they briefed for a simulated engine failure during takeoff. He added that, during the takeoff, the flight instructor reduced the left engine throttle and the Piper PA30 veered to the left.
He told investigators he “lost the control” and the instructor took the flight controls. The airplane lifted off the ground into ground effect and the left wing hit the ground, exited the runway, and came to rest in the grass adjacent the runway at the airport in Opa Locka, Florida.
The flight instructor, who was seated in the right seat, reported that, after he reduced power on the left engine during takeoff, the pilot became confused by the sudden left yaw and did not react.
He told investigators he repeatedly told the pilot to abort the takeoff.
Brakes were only installed on the left side, so the instructor was unable to apply brakes.
The pilot panicked, moved the left throttle to full, remained locked on the controls, and applied back pressure on the yoke. The instructor continued to attempt to take the flight controls from the pilot, but the airplane entered ground effect.
The instructor took the flight controls and, as the airplane settled to the ground, he reduced both throttles to idle. The airplane touched down in a “left yawing, slight left bank attitude” and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded on the runway to the left, rotated counterclockwise, exited the runway, and came to rest in the grass.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot and instructor reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to relinquish the flight controls to the flight instructor during a simulated engine failure during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane touching down in a left banking attitude and the landing gear collapsing.
This October 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Were the mixtures unreachable too?
“Brakes were only installed on the left side, so the instructor was unable to apply brakes.”
That’d be a non-starter for me.
Interesting that the two pilot narratives don’t quite align. Someone has some ‘splaining to do.
I believe a preflight briefshould include at minimum the S O P of the handoff in tandom with emergency manuevering and maybe before first flight – the 30 minute SIM on the TWIN…
Whatever the briefing, panicked generally implies a loss of rational and reason.