Accident Overview
After takeoff, the pilot informed air traffic control that the left engine was not developing full power and that he was having difficulty maintaining altitude. The pilot was attempting to return to the departure airport when the airplane collided with trees and a chimney, then crashed in a residential area.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the left and right engine did not reveal any condition that would have caused an operational problem. Neither propeller was in the feather position.
Work Orders and Flight History
Two work orders had been signed off on the day of the accident. One indicated that the airplane was in an airworthy condition; the other, with a later invoice number, indicated that the airplane was not in an airworthy condition.
A review of pilot log sheets showed that the pilot had previously flown the Piper PA-34 between January 13, 1986 and October 6, 1991. Since that period, he had only flown it once, on the day before the accident. Reportedly, during that flight, he had flown the airplane for one hour but did not practice emergency procedures.