What happened
During a ferry flight intended to move a multi-engine aircraft to a different facility for its scheduled annual inspection, a mechanical failure occurred. The flight, operated by a private pilot and one passenger, proceeded shortly after takeoff when the right engine began experiencing intense vibrations. In response to the instability, the pilot executed an emergency forced landing into a nearby pasture.
Upon impact, the aircraft sustained significant damage, including a post-crash fire. The force of the landing caused both radial engines to detach from the airframe. There were 0 fatalities reported, though the aircraft was destroyed.
Findings
Investigations into the incident highlighted several critical safety and maintenance issues. The right engine showed significant internal mechanical damage, with evidence suggesting a failure of a connecting rod as the primary source of the vibration.
Additionally, maintenance records indicated that the aircraft had not undergone a required annual inspection for roughly eight years. Regarding flight operations, the pilot was not certified by the FAA to operate multi-engine aircraft and had no formal training on this specific model. Furthermore, the flight in question marked the pilot's first solo operation of the aircraft.