Incident Overview
A pilot, who may have been a pilot-rated passenger, reported an indication problem with the aircraft and stated an intention to land at Okeechobee. However, the pilot could not locate the airport. Subsequently, engine trouble was reported, and the pilot indicated an attempt to land on a road. The aircraft circled the area and approached a dirt road with its landing lights illuminated. A car was traveling on the road in the opposite direction. The airplane began to climb and initiated a left turn. It then rolled into a steep right bank, descended nose-down, crashed, and was consumed by fire.
Examination Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed indications that both engines were operating at high rpm. A teardown of the engines found that a right engine fuel control bearing had failed. This failure would have allowed improper movement of the fuel control drive shaft. The aircraft's last inspection occurred on November 25, 1992, and at the time of the accident, the aircraft was 13 hours overdue for a required 150-hour inspection. Additionally, a service bulletin addressing maintenance of the fuel control bearings had not been complied with. The owner/pilot had not completed formal ground school instruction regarding the airplane's systems and operation.
Occupants and Configuration
The aircraft had nine seats, but ten occupants were aboard at the time of the accident.