Accident Summary
A commercial aircraft experienced a bird strike on its left engine shortly after takeoff from runway 17. The autofeather system activated, and the airplane continued flying for 79 seconds. It then banked left and crashed into a corn field. Three passengers sustained serious injuries, while 40 other occupants were unharmed. The aircraft was destroyed beyond repair.
Sequence of Events
Immediately after departure, during the initial climb phase, the left engine ingested a sparrowhawk. The autofeather system, designed to automatically feather the propeller of a failed engine, engaged. The aircraft maintained flight for 79 seconds before entering a left bank and descending into a corn field, where it impacted the ground.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be the captain's failure to follow prescribed engine-out procedures under instrument meteorological conditions, which allowed the aircraft to decelerate into a flight regime from which recovery was not possible. Contributing to the accident were inadequate cockpit coordination and discipline.