What happened
During the takeoff and initial climb phase of flight, the pilot reported experiencing a loss of power in one engine. Shortly after this report, the aircraft experienced a total loss of control and began an uncontrolled descent into a residential neighborhood.
The accident resulted in one fatality, as the pilot was the only person on board at the time of the crash. The aircraft struck several objects during its descent, including a static wire and a building.
Findings
An investigation into the mechanical failure revealed that a connection between the left engine throttle shaft and its serrated washer had become loose. This component failure occurred because maintenance personnel failed to properly install the throttle linkage during a recent procedure. The engine had been removed and reinstalled only a few flight hours before the accident.
Additional contributing factors identified during the investigation included:
- The pilot did not perform the necessary propeller feathering procedures following the engine failure.
- The pilot failed to maintain an airspeed above the minimum control speed (Vmc).
- The incident occurred during dark night conditions, which impacted visibility and situational awareness.