What happened
During a flight intended to familiarize a co-pilot with the aircraft and prepare for its delivery to a new owner, a Cessna 414 experienced a sudden loss of control during the approach phase. While the co-pilot was operating the aircraft, the nose suddenly yawed toward the right when the plane was approximately 200 feet above the ground.
Upon noticing the deviation, the pilot assumed control and attempted an emergency recovery. The pilot applied full power, moved the fuel pump switches to the high position, retracted the flaps, and attempted to retract the landing gear. Despite applying maximum left rudder and aileron, the pilot was unable to arrest the rightward roll or maintain directional stability. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground and slid into a parking area, where it collided with a waste-oil tank and another aircraft.
Findings
Post-accident investigations revealed that the landing gear remained in the down and locked position at the time of impact. Additionally, the propeller on the right engine had not been feathered. According to the pilot's handbook, performing a go-around with the landing gear extended and a windmilling propeller makes maintaining climb or level flight highly unlikely.
Although the crew reported that they did not detect any power loss on the right engine until the aircraft began to yaw, subsequent testing of the right engine in a test cell showed that it started immediately and functioned without any operational interruptions. Therefore, the failure to feather the propeller and the extended landing gear were critical factors in the inability to maintain flight.