Accident Overview
During initial climb after takeoff from runway 22 at Newark Airport, the left engine failed when the aircraft reached approximately 200 feet. The flight crew immediately reduced altitude and performed an emergency belly landing in a field. The aircraft slid several yards before coming to rest. Both pilots sustained slight injuries, and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the left engine failure occurred due to the failure of the master and connecting rods and piston rings. Additionally, at the time of the accident, the total weight of the airplane was 9,114 pounds above the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW). The probable cause was identified as the failure of the left engine during initial climb combined with poor supervision on the part of the operational personnel of the company who dispatched an overloaded aircraft.