Event Summary
Prior to flight, both engines had their spark plugs replaced due to minor engine vibration, and the landing gear retract system wiring was repaired because the gear had not retracted electrically on a prior occasion. After takeoff, the gear would not retract electrically, and the passenger had to crank it up manually.
Following the parachute jump, the pilot shut down the left engine to isolate the vibration. He then started the left engine and feathered the right engine. Unable to unfeather the right engine, he elected to land with full flaps and gear down after a straight-in approach.
As he approached the threshold, a Cessna 150 taxied onto the runway. The pilot executed a go-around while trying to retract the flaps and gear electrically without results. The passenger was attempting to retract the gear manually when the aircraft struck a tree.
The pilot stated he did not make his landing intentions known on unicom during the approach. No pre-impact discrepancies were found that would preclude normal propeller operation. Normal electrical power is halved with one generator inoperative.
Probable Cause
The official findings attributed the accident to two occurrences. Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) – non mechanical – with findings including engine vibration, improper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and undetermined propeller feathering system issues. Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water – with findings including the pilot's disregard of procedures/directives, failure to use radio communications, low electrical system output, failure to attain gear retraction and flap raising, deteriorated engine-out capability, failure to attain airspeed (VMC), and the presence of a moving aircraft on the ground and a tree.