Incident
During the initial climb after takeoff, just after the aircraft passed 400 feet above ground level, the pilot shut off the fuel boost pumps in preparation for the en route climb. Soon thereafter, one of the engines lost power without warning. Because the aircraft was carrying a heavy load, the pilot immediately feathered the propeller and began looking for a place to land.
Forced Landing
Rising terrain and scattered houses south of the airport required the pilot to maneuver to reach an open area. During the forced landing on uneven terrain, one of the landing gear legs collapsed. The aircraft impacted the terrain and slid into a power pole.
Investigation
A post-accident teardown inspection of the engine and aircraft systems did not reveal any anomalies that would have resulted in the failure of the engine that lost power.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was the loss of power in one engine, for undetermined reasons, soon after establishing the takeoff departure climb. A factor was the rough/uneven terrain.