What happened
During a repositioning flight, a DC-3C was operating at its maximum gross weight as part of an experimental program involving the installation of higher-horsepower engines. Shortly after the aircraft departed, approximately three seconds after reaching decision speed (V1), the left engine suffered a complete loss of power. While the propeller initially began the auto-feathering process, this mechanism ceased functioning roughly three seconds after the initial power loss.
Following the engine failure, the aircraft experienced a significant leftward yaw and bank. The plane subsequently lost altitude and struck the ground. The flight involved two pilots, and the accident resulted in two fatalities.
Findings
Data recovered from the engine indicated that the power loss was the result of an engine flameout. However, physical inspections of the engine failed to identify the specific trigger for the flameout or why the auto-feather system failed to complete its sequence. Investigators noted that while an air pocket in the fuel system following recent refueling was a possible theory, this could not be verified.
The engine flameout occurred during a critical phase of flight where the aircraft was at a low altitude and flying below the minimum controllable airspeed (Vmc). The rapid nature of the event likely prevented the crew from having sufficient time to recognize the failure and manually feather the propeller, which would have been necessary once the automatic system failed.