What happened
On June 27, 2024, a Cessna 414A, registration N414BS, was involved in an accident near McKinney, Texas. The flight was being conducted as a personal flight for the purpose of performing an avionics check. The crew consisted of a private pilot and two passengers, who were employees of the avionics facility.
The aircraft departed from runway 18 at an airport elevation of approximately 589 feet. Shortly after liftoff, the pilot reported the loss of the left engine. While communicating with air traffic control, the pilot indicated an intention to turn left after being instructed to turn right.
A witness near taxiway B4 observed the aircraft's engine sound change from loud to a bogged sound, suggesting an engine failure. The witness reported seeing the airplane in a left yaw with the landing gear extended. As the aircraft neared the departure end of the runway, it slowed significantly, rolled left, and inverted, diving into the ground from approximately 100 feet above ground level.
ADS-B data indicated that after climbing to 600 feet, the aircraft's speed was 99 knots. The speed subsequently decreased to a minimum of 65 knots before the last recorded data point of 70 knots.
The wreckage was located approximately 0.7 miles southeast of the departure end of runway 18, where the aircraft impacted a gravel mound. The aircraft's landing gear was extended at the time of impact. Both propellers had separated from their engines and neither was in a feathered position.
The accident resulted in 2 fatal injuries and 1 serious injury.