Accident Narrative
The aircraft departed on runway 13 and was directed to climb to 6,000 feet. Thirty seconds after departure, the pilot reported engine trouble and announced an intention to return to the airport. Shortly thereafter, the pilot advised that altitude could not be maintained. The aircraft, located one mile southeast of the airport, struck the roofs of two family residences, then struck two garages, impacted the ground, and struck the rear area of a third residence. An intense fire ensued. The left engine suffered an impeller failure, and the propeller was found pitched between low and high rpm. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed.
Findings and Probable Cause
Official findings classified the event into five occurrences. The first involved a total loss of engine power due to mechanical failure of the engine assembly blower/impeller and a lack of lubrication during the climb to cruise phase. The second was an airframe/component/system failure involving the propeller feathering system, which was found to be incorrect and movement-restricted; the pilot attempted feathering during an emergency descent. The third occurrence was a forced landing during emergency descent. The fourth was an in-flight collision with an object (a residence) during emergency descent. The fifth was an in-flight collision with terrain during an uncontrolled descent.