Incident Overview
About 6 minutes after takeoff, after leveling at 3,500 feet, the pilot reported a problem he was unable to diagnose. A few minutes later, he repeated the same problem and elected to divert to a nearby airport. Witnesses reported that the aircraft reversed course several times, and at least once, it entered a spin but recovered. Reportedly, it then began climbing but entered a second spin and crashed in a residential area, damaging two houses.
Witness Accounts
Two witnesses reported that the left engine had either stopped or was windmilling before the aircraft crashed. No other engine status was reported.
Radar Data
Radar data showed that the aircraft had turned left for a total of 360 degrees, with several altitude excursions, within a 0.45-mile radius.
Damage Assessment
No preimpact part failure was found, but the aircraft was extensively damaged by impact and fire. One right propeller blade was bent approximately 145 degrees opposite of the direction of rotation; the other right propeller blade was relatively straight with compression deformation. Both left propeller blades were found at a low pitch setting, with one blade bent aft approximately 60 degrees and the other blade bent forward about 15 degrees.