Accident
On departure from Detroit-City Airport, a twin-engine airplane struggled to gain altitude. It collided with power lines, entered a stall, and crashed. The pilot, the only person aboard, sustained fatal injuries.
Investigation
Investigators identified the probable cause as an engine malfunction during the initial climb. Several contributing factors were noted: collision with wires or poles, improper operation of the powerplant and powerplant controls, mismanagement of fuel, fuel starvation, high obstructions, foreign object damage, both propellers feathered, the left fuel selector found in the OFF position, foreign object damage on the right engine impeller, and the fuel system being different from that of other company aircraft.
Contributing Factors
The investigation report listed the following contributing factors:
- Collision with wires/poles
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls
- Mismanagement of fuel
- Fuel starvation
- High obstructions
- Foreign object damage
- Both propellers feathered
- Left fuel selector in OFF position
- Foreign object damage on right engine impeller
- Fuel system different from other company aircraft