Aircraft handling event - Beech 1900D, VH-VAQ, Darwin Airport, Northern Territory, on 13 September 2011

On 12 September 2011 a Vincent Airlines operated Raytheon Aircraft Company 1900D, registered VH-VAQ, departed Darwin Airport, Northern Territory on a local training flight. Onboard was a check captain, a check captain under training and a first officer (FO).

The purpose of the flight was to conduct a proficiency check in preparation for the FO to be checked to line operations. After take-off, at about 80 ft above ground level (AGL), the check captain announced, "simulating engine failure" and reduced the power on the left engine, setting above zero thrust. The FO recalled feeling pressure from the left rudder pedal under his foot and he instinctively pressed the left rudder pedal. He doesn't recall carrying out any actions to identify the failed engine.

The check captain observed that the aircraft had diverged left of centreline and was in about a 15-200 left level turn. The check captain took over the role of pilot flying and called "taking over". The FO replied, "handing over" and released the controls. The check captain applied right rudder, reduced the roll to the left and increased the power on the left engine while simultaneously reducing the power slightly on the right engine. The aircraft was established in a climb and reconfigured for a normal two-engine departure.

Following the event, the FO believed that the upward pressure he felt from the left rudder pedal was due to the normal operation of the rudder boost system deflecting the right rudder during the simulated engine failure.

The operator has actively pursued the establishment of a Beech 1900 simulator in the Australasian region. The operator is hopeful that an appropriate simulator will become available shortly and will endeavour to use the simulator for non-normal training.