What happened
The aircraft departed on runway 13 and was initially cleared to climb to 6,000 feet. Just thirty seconds into the flight, the pilot reported experiencing engine trouble and announced intentions to return to the airport. Shortly thereafter, the pilot indicated an inability to maintain altitude. Located one mile southeast of the airport, the aircraft struck the roofs of two family residences, followed by two garages. It then impacted the ground and hit the rear area of a third residence, resulting in an intense fire.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left engine had suffered an impeller failure. The propeller was found pitched between low and high RPM settings at the time of impact.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates a sudden loss of power due to mechanical failure. The pilot's immediate attempt to return to the airport suggests the failure occurred shortly after departure, leaving insufficient time or altitude for a safe forced landing elsewhere. The fuel exhaustion is not cited; rather, the mechanical component failure is the primary factor.
Safety message
This incident highlights the critical importance of engine reliability during the initial climb phase and the need for immediate pilot action when mechanical anomalies are detected.