Accident Sequence
A pilot was transporting his wife and four friends to Aspen, Colorado, for a ski vacation. During the initial climb after takeoff, witnesses observed the right baggage door open. The aircraft then turned left onto a downwind leg with its landing gear still extended.
Eight witnesses reported that the engines were producing varying degrees of power. Two stated that the left engine stopped running, while two reported a reduction in power or rpm from the right engine.
In the area where a base turn would normally be made, the aircraft entered a left descending turn, struck the tops of trees beside a road, impacted the roadway on an easterly heading, slid to a stop, and caught fire.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination revealed that the landing gear was down, the left propeller was feathered, and the right baggage door was open. The throttle quadrant was found with the left throttle two-thirds forward, the right throttle fully aft, the left propeller control in the feather position, the right propeller control fully forward, and both mixture controls at or near their forward positions.
The flight characteristics of the aircraft were considered normal with the baggage door open.
Occupants
All six occupants—the pilot, his wife, and her four friends—were killed.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause findings are:
Occurrence #1: miscellaneous/other Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb Findings 1. (f) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command 2. (f) door, cargo/baggage - unlocked 3. (f) diverted attention - pilot in command 4. (f) gear retraction - not performed - pilot in command 5. Precautionary landing - initiated - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) Findings 6. (c) emergency procedure - improper - pilot in command 7. Throttle/power control - reduced - pilot in command 8. Wrong propeller feathered - inadvertent - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with object Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) Findings 9. (f) object - tree(s)
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled