Loss of Control on Ground: Beech 76 Duchess, N20131; accident occurred July 2, 2020 at Crystal River Airport (KCGC), Citrus County, Florida

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N20131

Location: Crystal River, FL
Accident Number: ERA20CA239
Date & Time: 07/02/2020, 1600 EDT
Registration: N20131
Aircraft: Beech 76
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

Analysis

The flight instructor was conducting a training flight with the private pilot in the multiengine airplane. The flight instructor said that shortly after the airplane began to accelerate down the runway, she pulled the left throttle to idle to simulate an engine failure on takeoff and the private pilot "froze." She told him to bring the engine power to idle and brake, which he did, but the airplane was already veering left. The flight instructor then took control of the airplane and shut off power to each engine, but the airplane exited the runway and impacted an embankment resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The private pilot said that he responded to the simulated engine failure by removing thrust on both engines, applying the brakes, and trying to maintain directional control; however, "Despite the measures taken, the plane skidded off the runway." The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The flight instructor's delayed remedial action during a simulated engine failure on takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

Findings

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Personnel issues Delayed action - Instructor/check pilot

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Student/instructed pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Takeoff Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 37, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/22/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/17/2020
Flight Time:  1651 hours (Total, all aircraft), 231 hours (Total, this make and model)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 45, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/08/2020
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/02/2020
Flight Time: 339 hours (Total, all aircraft), 7 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N20131
Model/Series: 76 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1978
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: ME-82
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/17/2020, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3900 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 24 Hours
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3968.1 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360-AIG6D
Registered Owner: CAG Aircraft Holdings Llc
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: CGC, 8 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1635 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 90°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots / 14 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 270°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 24°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Crystal River, FL (CGC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Crystal River, FL (CGC)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1600 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Crystal River-Captain Tom Davi (CGC)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 8 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 27
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4557 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None

Latitude, Longitude: 28.870000, -82.570000 (est)