What happened
During the final approach to the airport, the pilot notified air traffic control of an engine failure and indicated that the landing gear was being deployed. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft crashed approximately three miles from the airfield. There were five fatalities resulting from the impact.
Findings
An inspection of the engines following the accident showed no mechanical discrepancies. However, investigators determined that the pilot failed to feather the propeller following the loss of power. The pilot's recent flight experience was limited, as they had not operated a multi-engine aircraft or received training in such an aircraft for more than five years, with their most recent flight occurring in a Cessna 172.
Further investigation into the flight operations revealed that the pilot did not manage the fuel system according to recommended procedures. According to a witness, the pilot continued to use fuel from the main tanks until they were almost depleted. Additionally, the pilot proceeded with the flight despite forecasts indicating light icing conditions, and during the flight, the pilot reported that ice was accumulating on the aircraft.