What happened
Following departure from Detroit City Airport, a twin engine airplane experienced significant difficulty maintaining altitude. During the early stages of the climb, the aircraft collided with overhead power cables. This impact led to an aerodynamic stall, resulting in a crash at the scene. The pilot, who was the only person on board the aircraft at the time of the accident, sustained fatal injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified an engine malfunction as the primary driver of the event during the climb. Several contributing factors were noted regarding the mechanical state and operation of the aircraft:
- The left fuel selector was set to the OFF position, leading to fuel starvation.
- Both propellers reached a feathered state during the incident.
- Damage from foreign objects was identified on the right engine impeller.
- Issues related to the improper management of fuel and powerplant controls were present.
- The aircraft's fuel system configuration differed from other similar models within the operator's fleet.
- The presence of high obstructions and power lines contributed to the collision.