What happened
During the takeoff phase, an aircraft carrying one pilot and ten sport parachutists experienced an engine misfire. Witnesses observed the plane level off during its initial ascent before entering a shallow right turn. As the flight progressed, the bank angle increased significantly, the nose dropped, and the aircraft entered a steep dive. The plane ultimately crashed into the rear of a residential building, causing the death of one person residing in the home. A fire following the impact destroyed the accessory sections of both engines.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the aircraft exceeded its maximum gross weight by 149.6 pounds, and the center of gravity was positioned 2.87 inches beyond the aft limit. The cabin door had been removed to facilitate parachuting operations; however, the authority used for this removal, an altered Flight Manual Supplement, was not valid as the aircraft was not on the FAA-approved list for such modifications.
Regarding fueling procedures, the aircraft required refueling prior to departure, but the airport's underground storage tank was below the electric cutoff level. Consequently, fuel was manually transferred from the storage tank into plastic jugs to refuel the plane. While fuel samples were drained from the sumps before takeoff, testing of the excess fuel used for refueling showed no signs of contamination or water. Although the right engine was found to have been shut down and the propeller feathered, investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure prior to the impact.