Accident Overview
Approximately 21 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft crashed on uneven, wooded terrain about 10 miles north of its departure airport. The pilot, who was seriously injured, reported no recollection of events leading up to the accident.
Witness Accounts
An A&P mechanic who witnessed the takeoff stated that the airplane was climbing slowly and the engines were running smoothly, but the engines sounded as if they were not at full power. Two other witnesses saw the airplane at low altitude just before impact; one of them reported that neither engine was operating.
Examination Findings
Examination of the left engine revealed internal contamination in the fuel servo, two of twelve ignition leads that failed continuity tests, and contamination in the mixture housing area. The right engine examination found that the left magneto was not properly secured and that the timing of the right magneto(s) was set at 42 degrees before top center (BTC), whereas it should have been 20 degrees BTC. Water was found in the right inboard leading edge fuel cell.
Additional findings from the investigation included both propellers set at low pitch, left magneto switches in the off position, the right boost pump off, and the shoulder harness not used. The last annual inspection was dated February 25, 1992, and this was the first flight in five months.