Accident Summary
On an unspecified date, a multi-engine aircraft was on a ferry flight from a departure point to Jennings Airport, located about 75 miles southwest. The aircraft was on what appeared to be a final approach to runway 13. Several witnesses heard a popping or backfiring sound and observed the aircraft flying at low altitude. Due to wind conditions, this would have been a downwind landing. The aircraft aborted its approach because another aircraft was landing from the opposite direction. The pilot initiated a left turn onto a base leg, during which the aircraft stalled, pitched nose down, and impacted the ground. The landing gear and flaps were extended at impact. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, died.
Witness Observations
Multiple people heard a popping or backfiring sound before seeing the aircraft at low altitude. No radios were onboard the aircraft, so no distress calls were made.
Flight Path
The aircraft was on final approach to runway 13 at Jennings Airport. Because of the wind, this would have been a downwind landing. The approach was aborted due to another aircraft landing from the opposite direction. The aircraft began a left turn onto a base leg, where it stalled.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed that all three blades of the right propeller were bent smoothly and symmetrically rearward. No preimpact failure or malfunction of the right engine was found.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a commercial certificate that had been revoked on November 21, 1981. He was not multi-engine rated and had not flown this type of aircraft in about 10 years. There were no entries in the aircraft's logbook from July 1, 1978, until April 3, 1984, when the aircraft was inspected for the ferry flight.
Probable Cause
The official findings list three occurrences: Occurrence #1: loss of engine power, with the reason undetermined. Occurrence #2: loss of control during the approach-VFR pattern-base turn due to the pilot not following procedures, lack of qualification, overconfidence, failure to maintain airspeed (VMC), inadvertent stall, inadequate transition/upgrade training, and lack of recent experience. Occurrence #3: in-flight collision with terrain/water.