What happened
Prior to departure, the pilot reported that attempting to start the right engine had taken two hours. According to a witness who observed the aircraft on the ramp, the pilot stated that the starter was inoperative for the right engine and that it would not start.
During the takeoff roll on runway 10, the aircraft's left engine revved and the plane began its roll. A witness observing the first 700 feet of the runway noted that the right engine's propeller blades remained stationary at the 4 and 10 o'clock positions. As the aircraft proceeded down the runway, it drifted toward the right side of the runway. During this period, the witness observed a reduction in power before the aircraft was realigned with the runway centerline and the left engine revved again.
The investigation
An examination of the accident scene identified three trails in the terrain located past the paved departure end of the runway. These trails led up to a berm and a telephone switching box.