What happened
The aircraft experienced a catastrophic failure while conducting a ferry flight, resulting in a crash. The pilot survived but was unable to provide any details regarding the sequence of events leading up to the accident. The destination for this flight was Chattanooga.
Prior to the incident, the aircraft had been sitting on a service ramp for approximately two years without being operated. Its last annual inspection had been completed nearly two years earlier, on September 1, 1981. Although the previous owner had initiated efforts to restore the plane to an airworthy condition, those efforts were deemed insufficient due to mechanical deficiencies.
The aircraft was subsequently sold to a new owner who dispatched an A&P mechanic and pilot to address the issues. This individual had previously assisted the new owner with ferrying other aircraft. After working on the plane for several days, the pilot departed for Chattanooga. However, during the flight, the left engine failed to develop power.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the wreckage and components revealed critical mechanical faults that were likely present before departure. Investigators found that both engines contained metal debris in their oil screens, indicating internal mechanical failure or severe wear. Additionally, both engines exhibited low oil pressure issues during a post-crash runup test.
A significant finding was the position of the controls at the time of impact. The throttle and propeller levers were discovered in the fully closed position. This suggested that the pilot may have inadvertently retarded the controls or was unable to maintain power settings, though the pilot's inability to recall the circumstances prevents a definitive determination of intent.
The landing gear was also noted as not being considered safe for retraction during previous inspections, adding to the list of airworthiness concerns that were not fully resolved before the ferry flight commenced.
Findings
The primary contributing factor to this accident was the operation of an aircraft that had been in long-term storage without adequate restoration. The presence of metal in both engines and low oil pressure indicated that the powerplants were not airworthy. The failure of the left engine to develop power during flight, combined with the closed throttle and propeller levers, led directly to the loss of control and subsequent crash.
The pilot's inability to recall the circumstances of the flight raises questions about situational awareness or potential medical issues, but the mechanical evidence points strongly to pre-existing airworthiness violations. The aircraft was not in a condition for safe flight despite recent work by an A&P mechanic.