What happened
During a preflight inspection, the pilot confirmed sufficient fuel levels for a flight duration of under one hour, including a 45-minute reserve. The pilot, who had no prior flight training or experience in this specific Cessna model, departed the airport and climbed to an altitude between 4,500 and 6,500 feet MSL. After cruising and beginning a descent toward the destination, the pilot performed standard landing preparations, including lowering the landing gear and activating fuel pumps.
While flying the base leg at approximately 600 feet, the right engine suddenly ceased operation. The pilot attempted to manage the failure by banking left to prevent sideslip and advancing the mixture, propeller, and throttle controls. Although the pilot reported attempting to feather the right propeller, investigators found the blades were not in the feathered position and found no evidence of a mechanical malfunction prior to the crash. As the pilot attempted to feather the propeller, the aircraft began to yaw and bank to the right. The pilot moved the left throttle to idle, and the aircraft struck the ground approximately six seconds after the engine failure.
Findings
Post-accident investigations revealed no fuel leaks or contamination in the area. While the engines were tested on a stand and functioned normally, the right engine had failed during flight. The impact caused significant structural damage, including the separation of the empennage just behind the aft pressure bulkhead. One passenger sustained minor injuries following the impact. Investigation of the cabin seating showed structural deformation in the third-row seats, though the seat and attachment structures were rated for much higher G-loads than those estimated during the event.