Single-Engine Loss During Climb Leads to Hillside Impact (N3438Q)

Accident Sequence and Pilot Actions The pilot reported that preflight and engine runup checks revealed no anomalies, and the takeoff proceeded normally until the aircraft reached an altitude of 100 to 200 feet above the ground. At that point, the right engine lost power. The pilot feathered the right propeller, secured the engine, and established a left bank toward the operating engine. The aircraft began a slow climb, and the pilot turned approximately 25 degrees left toward a field to avoid trees. However, because the aircraft had lost initial altitude during the power loss, it was below the top of a hill and unable to clear it. The aircraft impacted the hillside in a slightly right-wing-low, nose-high attitude. The aircraft was consumed by fire, but the pilot and passenger safely egressed before the fire took hold. The gross weight of the aircraft at takeoff was 5,382.6 pounds.