Accident Details
The pilot planned a night charter flight over Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay, departing from and returning to Essendon Airport. Dinner was to be served in flight. Before engine start, the pilot provided a safety briefing to passengers. Engine runups and pre-takeoff checks were completed, including selection of 20° of flap. At 2036 Eastern Summer Time, while still daylight, takeoff was initiated on runway 17 using standard power settings of 7.5 lb/in² boost and 3,000 RPM. Wind conditions were light and variable, visibility about 10 km, temperature 19°C.
The aircraft became airborne and, upon reaching takeoff safety speed of 84 knots at a height not exceeding 50 feet, the right engine lost power. The aircraft yawed right. The pilot briefly observed a manifold pressure gauge reading of 3 lb boost and assessed a possible partial right engine failure. He selected landing gear up, but it did not retract. After cycling the gear selector once, the gear retracted. Several seconds elapsed, and airspeed decayed to 76 knots. The pilot judged the airspeed too low to retract flaps and left them at 20°. Airspeed continued to decay until reaching VMCA of 72 knots. At 68 knots indicated airspeed, the pilot reduced power on the left engine to avoid an uncontrollable roll to the right. He maintained wings level and attempted to track toward a street but could not maintain height. The aircraft collided with powerlines, then struck roofs of several houses before coming to rest on its left side against the front wall of a house. About one minute elapsed from takeoff initiation to the accident.
Emergency Response
The pilot and all but one passenger remained conscious throughout the accident sequence. All occupants evacuated, some without assistance and others with assistance from the pilot, fellow passengers, emergency services personnel, or bystanders.
Probable Cause
The investigation reported the following factors: the right engine fuel control unit fuel pump failed, causing the engine to fail at a critical phase of flight; maintenance inspections did not detect abnormal wear on the thrust face of that pump; the landing gear did not retract on the first attempt, degrading aircraft performance while the pilot resolved the issue; the pilot was probably forced to abandon emergency procedures to concentrate on maintaining control; the aircraft could not maintain altitude and airspeed with the right propeller windmilling and 20° of flap; and organizational factors concerning deficiencies in the operator's manuals and procedures were identified.