What happened
Approximately three months prior to the accident, a twin-engine airplane underwent its annual maintenance inspection. During this process, a mechanic discovered several issues regarding the airframe and both engines. Consequently, the aircraft was not cleared for flight, and the owner received a formal list of these discrepancies. The flight in question was intended to move the aircraft to a different airport to facilitate necessary repairs.
While the mechanic had advised the pilot to secure an FAA ferry permit for such a flight, there is no record that this permit was ever acquired. On the day of the incident, the pilot departed the airport and reached an altitude of approximately 1,500 feet mean sea level. Shortly after reaching this altitude, about two miles from the departure point, the pilot notified air traffic control of a vibration occurring in the right engine and expressed an intention to return to the departure runway. Air traffic control cleared the pilot for a left downwind approach.
As the aircraft approached the airport, roughly one mile from the field, the pilot reported a total engine failure and indicated a plan to land on the departure runway in the opposite direction. Flight track data indicates the aircraft turned toward the approach end of the runway, followed by a rapid loss of altitude and groundspeed during the final 30 seconds of recorded data. Surveillance footage showed the aircraft entering a steep vertical descent accompanied by a right roll. The aircraft struck a residential neighborhood, hitting trees, powerlines, and propane tanks. The impact caused a significant fire that destroyed the aircraft. The pilot was killed in the crash, and one person on the ground sustained minor injuries.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating with known mechanical discrepancies that had been identified during a previous annual inspection.
- The pilot operated the aircraft without a ferry permit despite being advised that one was required for the flight.