Accident Sequence
After takeoff, the airplane returned to the departure airport for an emergency landing. Witnesses observed the aircraft in the vicinity of the runway threshold, approximately 500 feet above the ground, with its left propeller feathered. The airplane then entered a left bank, which increased to about 90 degrees. It subsequently entered a spin, descended, and impacted the ground.
Investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the camshaft of the left engine had failed as a result of a fatigue crack. No other abnormalities were observed in the airframe or engine. The left engine had accumulated about 1,200 hours since its last overhaul.
Pilot Information
The pilot had purchased the airplane approximately one month prior to the accident. At that time, he reported 700 hours of flight experience in multi-engine airplanes, of which 10 hours were in the make and model of the accident airplane.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a single engine emergency landing, after experiencing a failure of the left engine. A factor in this accident was the failure of the left engine's camshaft due to a fatigue crack.