Flight Purpose
The flight was intended to allow the pilot to "check out" the airplane before delivering it to its new owner and to provide an indoctrination ride for the copilot in a Cessna 414.
Approach and Loss of Control
During the approach, the pilot provided guidance and corrections to the copilot. The copilot flew the airplane to within 200 feet of the ground when the nose of the airplane yawed abruptly to the right. The pilot took control, pushing the engine and propeller controls to full forward, placing the fuel pump switches to "high," retracting the flaps, and attempting to retract the landing gear. Despite applying full left rudder and full left aileron, he could neither maintain directional control nor stop a roll to the right.
Accident Sequence
The airplane struck the ground and continued into a parking area, where it struck another airplane and a waste-oil tank.
Post-accident Examination
Examination revealed that the landing gear was down and locked, and the propeller on the right engine was not feathered. The emergency procedure for an engine-inoperative go-around required landing gear retraction and a feathered propeller on the inoperative engine. The pilot's handbook further stated, "Climb or continued level flight is improbable with the landing gear extended and the propeller windmilling." After the accident, both pilots stated that they did not notice a power loss on the right engine until the copilot surrendered the flight controls.
Engine Test
The right engine was removed and placed in a test cell. It started immediately on the first attempt and ran continuously without interruption.