What happened
During a night cargo operation under visual flight rules, the pilot reported an engine malfunction while climbing through approximately 300 to 400 feet above ground level. Following the announcement of the failure, air traffic control authorized the aircraft to perform a return to the airfield, permitting a landing on any available runway.
While attempting to maneuver, the aircraft type entered a descending turn to the right. The flight ended when the plane struck the ground roughly one mile from the airport, subsequently catching fire. The impact resulted in two fatalities.
Findings
Post-accident investigations determined that the right engine was non-operational at the time of the crash. The landing gear was found in the extended position, and the right propeller was noted to be in a high pitch setting.
Technical examination of the right engine identified several mechanical issues, including blocked and incorrectly sized fuel injectors, a fuel pump that was out of adjustment, and damaged breaker points within a magneto.