What happened
Approximately 18 minutes following departure, the pilot reported a loss of power in the number two engine and initiated a return to McAllen. During the final approach phase, the aircraft type crashed into an open field located roughly 400 yards before the runway and 115 feet to the right of the approach lights. At the moment of impact, the aircraft was positioned in an inverted attitude with a significant right roll of approximately 150 degrees and a nose-down pitch of 15 degrees. The collision triggered an intense fire.
Findings
Post-accident investigations identified several critical factors regarding the flight's stability and configuration. While no mechanical failures were found prior to impact, investigators noted that the right propeller blades were positioned at 65 degrees, rather than the required 86 degrees for a full feathered state. Furthermore, the aircraft was operating at an estimated 753 lbs over its maximum gross weight limit.
Analysis of the flight parameters indicated that the pilot failed to maintain the necessary airspeed relative to the minimum controllable airspeed (VMC). Specifically, with the landing gear extended and flaps retracted, the VMC was calculated at 92 mph for a windmilling propeller and 87 mph for a feathered propeller. The investigation concluded that the aircraft exceeded its maximum allowable weight, contributing to the loss of control during the approach.