What happened
During the initial climb phase of takeoff, an aircraft was ascending through an altitude of approximately 150 to 200 feet AGL after the landing gear had been retracted. The pilot observed a decay in the RPM of the left engine. Due to the low altitude and insufficient runway length to perform an aborted takeoff, the pilot attempted to feather the left engine to reduce drag. However, the propeller failed to rotate into the feathered position before the engine power loss became critical.
The resulting drag from the unfeathered propeller prevented the aircraft from maintaining level flight or continuing its climb. The pilot successfully navigated the aircraft over several obstacles and buildings near the airport perimeter, which reached heights of up to 75 feet. Shortly after clearing these structures, the aircraft struck trees and crashed into a wooded area. A small fire ignited near the right engine's accessory section following the impact. The pilot, who was the only person on board, sustained slight injuries.
Findings
An investigation into the left engine revealed that an impeller shaft bearing (Pratt & Whitney part number 288943) had failed. This mechanical failure caused the impeller to rub against the diffuser, leading to the loss of power. Additionally, it was determined that the propeller failed to feather, which contributed to the excessive drag that made maintaining flight impossible.