Accident
On December 8, 2012, at 1334 eastern standard time, a Cessna 421C (N297DB) operated by a private individual was destroyed when it collided with trees and terrain following a loss of control after takeoff from North Palm Beach County Airpark (LNA) in Lantana, Florida. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Pre-Flight and Takeoff
The pilot took delivery of the airplane from a maintenance facility that had just completed an annual inspection and repainting. According to the facility owner, a certificated pilot and airframe and powerplant mechanic, the pilot completed the preflight inspection, and the airplane was towed outside. The pilot started the airplane but then shut it down to address an alternator charging light. The pilot then stated his intention to fly to Okeechobee, Florida, perform a few landings, and then continue to Miami. The mechanic reported that the pilot conducted a ground run for several minutes before taxiing to the approach end of Runway 3 for takeoff. The airplane lifted off about halfway down the runway and climbed at a normal rate.
Witness Observations
The mechanic observed the airplane suddenly yaw to the left for a second or two, after which the nose continued to pitch up. The airplane then rolled left and descended vertically, nose-down, until it disappeared from view. Several witnesses provided similar accounts to an FAA inspector and the local sheriff's department. One witness, a certificated flight instructor, stated, "The airplane just kept pitching up, and then it looked like a VMC roll."
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was the pilot's failure to follow established engine-out procedures and to maintain a proper airspeed after the total loss of engine power on one of the airplane's two engines during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the total loss of engine power due to a loss of torque on the crankcase bolts for reasons that could not be determined because of impact- and fire-related damage to the engine.