Incident Overview
During takeoff, after the aircraft had climbed approximately 400 to 500 feet, a power surge was experienced. The copilot noted a fluctuation in the right fuel flow and reported to the pilot-in-command that the right engine was losing power. The pilot directed the copilot to secure the engine.
Intended Plan and Outcome
Anticipating no serious problem, the pilot intended to remain in the traffic pattern and perform a single-engine landing. However, he found he could not maintain speed without descending and was forced to land. During the landing rollout, the aircraft went through a fence, crossed a railroad track, and came to a stop on a road.
Post-Landing Engine Checks
An operational check of the engines revealed that the right engine started and ran normally. The left engine was difficult to start and would not run above 1000 RPM until a different fuel metering valve was installed. A teardown inspection of the faulty fuel metering valve showed contamination from an unknown source. Additionally, the left fuel pump discharge pressure was measured at 62 psi. After adjusting the altitude aneroid control, the pump discharge pressure was returned to within the maximum limit of 32.5 psi.