Incident
At a height of approximately 200 feet after takeoff, the right engine lost power. The pilot feathered the propeller and initiated a gentle left turn with the intention of returning to the landing strip. He later reported that the aircraft began to sink towards some large trees, forcing him to increase the angle of bank to avoid them. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft struck the ground heavily in an adjacent paddock about 1 kilometer from the strip.
Investigation
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the engine failure. It was established that the failure resulted from jamming of the accessory drive gearing due to excessive wear within a magneto. The investigation noted that a mandatory inspection of the magneto, which had been due 84 flying hours before the accident, was likely not conducted.
Weight Considerations
At the time of takeoff, the aircraft's weight exceeded the authorized limit. Despite this, after the engine failure, the pilot was able to maintain straight and level flight. A cleared area of ground lay ahead and slightly to the left of the flight path, but the pilot believed the aircraft had sufficient performance to permit a return to the strip.