Investigation Summary
The aircraft was conducting a ferry flight to Arkansas for painting, having been purchased by Gilleland Aviation only two days prior. Shortly after lifting off from runway 1R, the pilot declared an emergency, reporting the loss of the left engine. The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of approximately 120 feet AGL before entering a shallow left turn. Despite the emergency, the landing gear remained extended and the propellers were not feathered. Sound spectrum analysis of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and witness marks on the propeller preload plates indicated that while the left engine had suffered a power reduction, it was still producing low to moderate power at impact, while the right engine was at high power. The resulting asymmetrical thrust required right rudder input to counteract; however, investigators found evidence that the pilot applied substantial left rudder, causing the aircraft to slip into the building. The impact occurred just 26 seconds after liftoff.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB Final Report (CEN15FA034), published March 1, 2016, concluded the probable cause was the pilot's failure to maintain lateral control and his application of inappropriate rudder input following a reduction in left engine power. Contributing factors included the pilot's failure to follow emergency procedures (specifically failing to retract landing gear and feather the propeller) and the undetermined cause of the left engine power reduction. While the pilot was taking unreported medications for anxiety and depression, toxicology and medical reviews found no evidence that these conditions or substances contributed to the loss of control.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
Real Plane Crashes Into Flight Simulator, Killing Four (Seriously) — On October 30, 2014, a Beechcraft King Air B200 impacted the FlightSafety International building during initial climb from Wichita Mid-Continent Airport, killing the pilot and three people in a simulator.
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Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Mark Goldstein was a retired Air Traffic Controller. The 2,843 hours represents total multiengine experience. The pilot had recently completed King Air 300 series initial training (58.5 ground hours, 14 simulator hours) in September 2014, but his specific B200 flight time was not logged separately.
Systems & Failure Modes
Rudder Boost System
A pneumatic system designed to assist the pilot in maintaining directional control during asymmetrical thrust by applying pressure to the rudder cables. Its operational status at impact could not be determined due to fire damage.
Autofeather System
Automatically feathers the propeller of a failing engine to reduce drag. The pilot confirmed the system was armed during takeoff, but neither propeller was found in the feathered position.
Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42 Engines
Twin turboprop engines; the left engine suffered an undetermined power reduction that initiated the emergency.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft had only flown 1.4 hours since major maintenance, which included hot-section inspections of both engines.
- 02Three of the fatalities were individuals inside the building who were using a flight simulator at the time of impact.
- 03The pilot was a retired Air Traffic Controller with over 3,100 total flight hours.
- 04Post-crash investigation found the landing gear was still in the extended position.
- 05The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of only 120 feet above ground level before the crash.
Safety Actions & Advisories
FAA Medical Certification Oversight
The NTSB investigation highlighted the pilot's failure to report his history of anxiety, depression, and use of psychotropic medications (buspirone and citalopram) to the FAA. This case serves as a reference for the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve pilot medical self-reporting and the detection of disqualifying conditions during medical examinations.