What happened
Shortly after departing from the airport, the pilot communicated an emergency declaration, reporting that one of the engines had failed and requesting an immediate return to the airfield. During the attempt to return, the aircraft type descended into area characterized by thick brush and uneven terrain. The flight path ended when the plane collided with a significant dirt berm located roughly 1.5 miles northeast of the departure runway.
At the time of the impact, the landing gear had been pulled up, though the flaps remained extended at approximately 30 degrees. While the pilot and front passenger were not utilizing shoulder harnesses, the single surviving passenger reported no specific mechanical symptoms, noting only that 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 appropriate for the flight. Analysis of the combustion chambers suggested that the engines had been running under conditions of lean operation or mild detonation. The investigation identified that the loss of engine power occurred for reasons that could not be determined. Additionally, the crew's failure to retract the flaps and the inability to maintain necessary altitude were noted as contributing factors to the crash. The accident resulted in 2 fatalities and 1 injury.