What happened
During the early stages of flight departing from Lindbergh Field, an aircraft experienced a critical loss of power shortly after rotation. While ascending at an altitude of approximately 50 feet, the pilot attempted a sharp maneuver which led to an aerodynamic stall. The subsequent impact resulted in the aircraft catching fire upon hitting the ground.
The accident involved a total of four people on board. The crash resulted in three fatalities and left one passenger with serious injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the incident determined that the engine failed during the takeoff roll. This failure was traced to a fatigue fracture that caused a cracked shroud within the third stage stator assembly. Additionally, it was noted that the pilot had utilized the minimum required takeoff speed and the shortest possible runway length for the departure, which contributed to the difficulty of maintaining control following the mechanical failure.