Background
Approximately three months before the accident, the twin-engine airplane underwent an annual maintenance inspection. During this inspection, the mechanic identified numerous discrepancies with both engines and the airframe. The airplane was not subsequently approved for flight, and the owner was provided a list of the discrepancies. The purpose of the accident flight was to relocate the airplane to another airport where the pilot planned to have the discrepancies addressed. The mechanic reported that he had advised the pilot that he needed to apply for a ferry permit from the FAA in order to complete the accident flight, but there was no evidence that the pilot had obtained one.
Accident Flight
On the day of the accident flight, air traffic control data showed that the pilot departed and climbed the airplane to about 1,500 feet mean sea level (msl). About two miles from the departure airport, the pilot advised air traffic control of his intent to return to the departure runway due to a vibration of the right engine. The controller immediately cleared the pilot to enter the left downwind for the departure runway. The airplane then turned to the left and began a descent toward the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern. When the airplane was about a mile from the airport, the pilot reported that the airplane had an “engine failure” and that he intended to land on the departure runway, but in the opposite direction. Recorded flight track data showed that the airplane then turned directly toward the approach end of that runway and that during the final 30 seconds of track data, the airplane’s altitude and groundspeed decreased rapidly.
Impact and Aftermath
Surveillance video captured the final few seconds of flight, showing the airplane in a steep vertical descent and a right roll. The airplane impacted a residential area, striking trees, powerlines, and propane fuel tanks. After the impact, the airplane sustained significant postimpact fire damage, and the airplane was destroyed. The pilot was killed, and one person on the ground was slightly injured.