What happened
Shortly after departing from the airport, the pilot reported an emergency due to the loss of an engine and requested an immediate return to the airfield. During the attempt to return, the aircraft type descended into rugged, brush-filled terrain. The flight ended when the plane impacted a significant dirt berm located roughly 1.5 miles northeast of the departure point.
At the time of the impact, the landing gear had been retracted, while the flaps were positioned at approximately 30 degrees. The incident resulted in two fatalities and one survivor. The surviving passenger noted that while there were no obvious signs of catastrophic engine failure, the plane was unable to sustain its altitude.
Findings
Post-accident inspections of the engines showed no clear evidence of mechanical failure, and the fuel levels were found to be correct. However, analysis of the combustion chambers suggested that the engines had been running under conditions of lean operation or mild detonation. Additionally, it was noted that the pilot and the passenger in the front seat were not utilizing shoulder harnesses during the flight.