On January 21, 1994, a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III (registration N777BE) operated by Heritage Aircraft was involved in an aviation accident near Titusville, United States of America during takeoff. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain vmc resulting in the inflight loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the fatigue failure of a section of pipe adjacent to a flange which connects to the turbocharger oil outlet of the left engine assembly. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
After takeoff, white smoke trailed from the left engine. The airplane banked left about 90°, pitched nose down, and collided with trees and ground. Investigators found a fatigue failure in the left engine oil separator pipe.
Incident Summary
Witnesses on the ground reported that the engines sounded normal while the airplane was taxiing for takeoff. Following takeoff, witnesses observed white smoke trailing from the left engine. The airplane then banked to the left, reaching a bank angle of approximately 90°. Subsequently, the airplane pitched nose down, descended, and collided with trees and the ground.
Examination Findings
Examination of the left engine oil separator from the turbocharger assembly revealed that a section of pipe near a flange connected to the turbocharger oil outlet had failed due to fatigue. No other failure or malfunction was noted with either the left or right engines and propellers. The mixture control arm on the left engine fuel control unit was found in the 'off' position. Additionally, the fuel selectors and magneto switches were also found in the 'off' position. A pilot-rated passenger occupied the left forward seat.
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain vmc resulting in the inflight loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the fatigue failure of a section of pipe adjacent to a flange which connects to the turbocharger oil outlet of the left engine assembly.