What happened
Shortly after departure, the aircraft experienced a significant loss of power in the left engine. The pilot identified the issue as corrosion blocking the main jet within the fuel control unit. To manage the situation, the pilot feathered the propeller on the affected side and initiated a return to the airport for an emergency landing.
While approaching the runway on short final, the pilot realized a critical complication: the aircraft's hydraulic pump for the landing gear was mounted on the left engine, which had just failed. This necessitated a manual extension of the landing gear while already established on final approach. By the time the gear was fully extended, the aircraft was positioned approximately halfway down the runway.
Assessing the situation, the pilot decided to attempt a go-around with the landing gear still down and only one engine operating. However, the aircraft lacked sufficient altitude and airspeed to sustain flight under these conditions. Unable to maintain controlled flight, the pilot attempted an emergency landing on the taxiway of an adjacent runway.
The aircraft touched down with significant force. Upon impact, it veered off the left side of the taxiway and came to rest in a ditch.