Accident Overview
An aircraft departing from Opa Locka Airport experienced a loss of engine power shortly after liftoff during the initial climb. The pilot elected to perform an emergency landing but failed to recover from a bounced landing. The aircraft subsequently crashed and came to rest in flames. All seven occupants on board exited the aircraft without injury, but the aircraft was destroyed.
Event Sequence
Immediately after takeoff, while the aircraft was in the initial climb phase, the engine lost power. The pilot responded by attempting an emergency landing. However, the landing was a bounced landing, and the pilot was unable to recover from it. The aircraft then crashed and caught fire.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be engine problems after takeoff following a hydraulic pitch control mechanism. Additional factors reported included attempted operations with known deficiencies in equipment, RPM uncontrollable overspeed, improper level off, improper recovery from bounced landing, overload failure, suspected mechanical discrepancy, propeller not responding to control, pilot awareness of the problem before takeoff, and a fire that started in the right brake.