Accident Details
The airplane impacted a transmission wire, a single-story storage building, and terrain after takeoff while attempting to return to the departure airport. The airport manager reported that the takeoff appeared normal. A postaccident fire consumed most of the aircraft and the storage building.
Witness Accounts
Several witnesses reported seeing the airplane before the accident. Two witnesses observed the airplane exit clouds at a high rate of descent before leveling off; one noted the flight path was steady. Both lost sight of the airplane behind a ridgeline. Another witness saw the airplane fly past her residence at an "exceptionally low" altitude, with engines at a "very, very high throttle" setting. An off-duty airport firefighter reported that the airplane appeared in normal flight except for being low, about 50 feet above ground level. He then saw it "stop in mid air," the tail "spin around," and the airplane "drop straight down." He responded to the accident site but was unable to assist the occupants.
Weather and Communications
Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Ceilings at the accident airport were estimated at 400 to 800 feet above ground level, with surface visibilities of 1 to 3 miles. Routine weather observations were not available for the airport. After departure, the pilot was unable to establish radio communication with air traffic control (ATC). The controller described the transmissions as "weak and unreadable." Communications were relayed through a second aircraft on the ground awaiting takeoff clearance. The pilot declared an emergency approximately three minutes after takeoff but did not state its nature.
Post-Accident Examination
Postaccident examinations of the airframe and engines revealed no anomalies associated with a preimpact failure. Both engine propeller assemblies had separated from their respective crankshafts, with fracture surfaces exhibiting 45-degree shear planes consistent with torsional overload failures. The left vacuum pump was consumed by the postaccident fire; the right vacuum pump showed thermal damage, but its rotor and vanes were intact upon disassembly.