Accident Sequence
The flight departed and, upon reaching a point approximately 35 miles north of the airport, the pilot requested a return to the airport from air traffic control. The pilot did not declare an emergency or report an engine problem at that time.
Entering the traffic pattern at an uncontrolled airport, the pilot stated he would follow a Cessna 152 for landing. On short final, the aircraft was observed making S-turns to maintain spacing behind the Cessna 152. The pilot then declared that he had an engine shutdown and needed to land. The Cessna 152 was in its landing flare and landed.
With the Cessna 152 on the runway, the pilot attempted a go-around with full flaps extended, landing gear down, the left engine shut down, and at a slow airspeed. Upon application of right engine power, the aircraft rolled to the left and nosed down, resulting in a crash.
Findings
Examination of the left engine revealed that the number two cylinder had suffered separation of the head from the barrel. The pilot's logbook did not reflect a current biennial flight review. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed.
The official probable cause was stated as: "The pilot in command's failure to maintain airspeed above single engine minimum control speed resulting in an inflight loss of control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot in command's failure to declare an emergency and request priority landing and his decision to follow a slower aircraft in the pattern."