What happened
During a takeoff from a gravel runway measuring 4,400 feet in length, the pilot was operating the aircraft at a weight nearly equal to its maximum allowable gross weight. Shortly after departing the ground, the pilot noted that the aircraft performance felt sluggish. The pilot reported a belief that the left engine had begun to lose power, which prevented the aircraft from gaining altitude.
In response to the lack of climb capability, the pilot reduced both engines to idle power and attempted to land on the remaining portion of the runway. The aircraft made contact with the runway surface near the end of the available distance. Following the touchdown, the aircraft exited the runway and entered a wooded area. A fire broke out during the event, which resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. It remains uncertain whether the fire originated while the aircraft was still airborne or immediately after the excursion into the trees.
Findings
While the pilot suspected a loss of power in the left engine, FAA inspectors present at the scene reported that there were no visible indicators of a catastrophic engine failure. Due to the intensity of the fire, the engines sustained significant damage and were not subjected to a detailed examination.