Incident Summary
Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft's right engine lost power. The airplane experienced difficulty in gaining altitude, subsequently striking tree tops and crashing near the end of the runway. All six occupants sustained injuries, four of them serious. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be an engine malfunction during initial climb, attributed to inadequate maintenance and inspection. Several contributing factors were identified:
- Fuel system issues related to pumps
- Improper alignment or adjustment
- Excessive pressure
- Failure to follow approved procedures
- Failure to use all available runway
- Improper emergency procedures
- Fuel filter obstructed by 30%
- High obstructions in the flight path
- Right fuel pump pressure exceeding 60 PSI, while specifications called for 33 PSI
- Takeoff conducted from midfield (utilizing 9,281 feet of runway)
- Engine not feathered following the power loss
These factors collectively contributed to the sequence of events that resulted in the accident.