Accident Overview
A Beech 58 airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain after an in-flight loss of control. The incident occurred during initial climb after takeoff, following a reported loss of engine power. The pilot stated that within seconds of rotation, he perceived an abrupt hard yaw to the left with near simultaneous rolling of the right wing up and activation of the stall warning horn. He reflexly applied hard right rudder and aileron and pushed the nose down, which partially reduced the yaw and roll. The airplane continued to rotate in a spin, with the left wing tip striking the ground and then spinning tail first into the ground. The entire sequence from perception of yaw to ground strike lasted a matter of one or two seconds.
Pilot and Passenger Injuries
The pilot was uninjured. The passenger sustained minor injuries.
Post-Accident Examination
FAA inspectors performed an on-scene examination of the wreckage. An inspector noted that the grass had not been mowed and was approximately 16 to 18 inches high. The landing gear collapsed during impact. The left and right wings were twisted and bent. The left and right engines broke free from their mounts. The aft fuselage section, including the empennage, completely separated from the forward section just aft of the aft-facing seats and came to rest on the top inboard section of the left wing and engine. The inspector stated that he was unable to determine any anomalies.
The left engine was subsequently test run and produced rated power.
Aircraft Manual Information
The Beech 58 manual's emergency procedures section stated: "Where practicable, the emergencies requiring immediate corrective action are treated in check list form for easy reference and familiarization. Other situations, in which more time is usually permitted to decide on and execute a plan of action, are discussed at some length. ... ENGINE FAILURE AFTER LIFT-OFF AND IN FLIGHT ... The most important aspect of engine failure is the necessity to maintain lateral and directional control. ... An immediate landing is advisable regardless of take-off weight."
Pilot Report
The pilot reported a "power loss [left] engine."