Accident Overview
Witnesses observed the pilot encountering difficulty starting the right engine after refueling. Once started, the engine emitted a popping sound. Despite the abnormal noise, the pilot taxied to the runway and initiated takeoff. The airplane climbed to an estimated altitude of 250 to 300 feet with the landing gear still extended.
Sequence of Events
Shortly after reaching altitude, the airplane began to descend and turn to the right. After turning to a downwind position, the aircraft rolled rapidly to the right and descended, impacting the ground in a near-vertical attitude.
Postcrash Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed the left propeller was rotating at impact, with no evidence of failure or malfunction of the left engine. The right propeller showed no evidence of rotating under power at ground impact; the propeller blades were locked on the start latches at the 18-degree position. No evidence of failure or malfunction of the right propeller or propeller governor was found. The right engine assembly exhibited no precrash failure or malfunction.
A bent regulator stem was found on the right engine fuel servo, which caused sticking of the fuel regulator and abnormal fuel mixtures. The right fuel selector was found in the off position after the accident. The mixture, throttle, and propeller controls for the right engine were in the low midrange position. The landing gear and landing gear control were found in the extended position, and the wing flaps were retracted.
Operational Considerations
The checklist for engine failure requires the pilot to retract the landing gear, maintain at least the single-engine minimum control speed, and shut down the failed engine while feathering the propeller.