On December 12, 1974, a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor (registration N3719G) operated by R. Lewis West was involved in an aviation accident near Palma Sola, United States of America during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level. Contributing factors: misjudged distance, speed, altitude or clearance; spontaneous, improper action; powerplant failure for undetermined reason; lack of familiarity with aircraft; taxiing on… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
Shortly after takeoff from Palma Sola, an engine failed. The pilot lost control and the aircraft hit a fence. The pilot was uninjured; the aircraft was destroyed.
Incident Overview
Shortly after departing from Palma Sola, the aircraft experienced an engine failure. The pilot subsequently lost control, and the airplane collided with a fence. The pilot was uninjured, while the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Official Findings
According to the investigation, the probable cause of the accident was the pilot's attempt to operate the aircraft beyond his experience and ability level. Contributing factors included a misjudgment of distance, speed, altitude, or clearance; a spontaneous, improper action; a powerplant failure for an undetermined reason; a lack of familiarity with the aircraft; and taxiing on the runway with an inability to stop, leading to an attempted takeoff. Additionally, the pilot was not multi-engine rated and had only served as a copilot on all previous flights.