The airplane crashed about 4 miles southwest of the runway 5L threshold during
an ILS approach. The captain had associated the illumination of the left engine
IGN light, illuminated as a result of a momentary negative torque condition when
the propeller speed levers were advanced tp 100% and the power levers were at
flight idle, with an engine failure. There was no evidence of an engine failure.
The captain failed to follow established procedures for engine failure
identification, single engine appoach, single engine go-around, and stall
recovery. AMR Eagle training did not adequately address the recognition of
engine failure at low power, the aerodynamic effects of asymmetric thrust from a
"windmilling" propeller, and high thrust on the other engine. AMR Eagle and
Flagship Airlines crew training records do not provide sufficient detail for
management to track performance. Flagship Airlines management was deficient in
its knowledge of the types of crew records available, and in the content and use
of such records.
Probable Cause
1) the captain's improper assumption that an engine had failed, and 2) the
captain's subsequent failure to follow approved procedures for engine failure,
single-engine approach and go-around, and stall recovery. Contributing to the
cause of the accident was the failure of AMR Eagle/Flagship management to
identify, document, monitor, and remedy deficiencies in pilot performance and
training. (NTSB Report AAR-95/07)