Accident Sequence
Witnesses reported seeing the airplane at approximately 100 to 150 feet above the ground near the 3,000-foot marker of an 8,000-foot runway, with its landing gear retracted. They heard a loud bang, after which the aircraft made no attempt to land on the remaining 5,000 feet of runway. The airplane continued climbing, briefly gaining altitude before passing the end of the runway. It then entered a right descending turn with a 60- to 80-degree right bank and a nose-low attitude, subsequently disappearing from sight. The airplane collided with the ground about 8/10 of a mile from the departure end of runway 34 in a residential area.
Engine Examination
Examination of the critical left engine revealed no pre-impact mechanical malfunction. The right engine showed galling on all connecting rods, dirt and particulate contamination embedded on all bearings, and spalling on all cam followers. The oil suction screen was clean, but the oil filter was contaminated with ferrous and non-ferrous particles. The number 3 cylinder connecting rod yoke was broken on one side of the rod cap and separated into two pieces, with heavy secondary damage but no signs of heat distress.
Maintenance History
Engine logbooks indicated that both engines had been overhauled in 1986. In 1992, the airplane was registered in the Dominican Republic, and the last maintenance entry showed that the left and right engines had undergone an inspection 754.3 hours since major overhaul. No further maintenance entries appeared until the airplane was sold and moved to the United States in 2002.
Propeller and Emergency Procedures
All three blades of the right propeller were found in the low pitch position, confirming that the pilot did not feather the right propeller as specified in the pilot's operating handbook for emergency procedures following a loss of engine power during takeoff.
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to follow emergency procedures and to maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power during takeoff resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent uncontrolled impact with terrain. Contributing to the cause was inadequate maintenance resulting in oil contamination.