Aircraft Accident: Left Engine Failure After Takeoff (N18936)

Accident Sequence and Impact Details The aircraft completed a pre-flight engine check before commencing its takeoff roll with the flaps in the full-up position. It became airborne normally about 1,500 feet down the runway, climbed to roughly 50 feet, and leveled off. At that point, the landing gear was retracted, and qualified observers estimated the airspeed at 105 to 110 miles per hour. About 3,000 feet from the takeoff point, parts were seen falling from the left engine, and the aircraft began a shallow left turn. The left propeller appeared fully feathered. The aircraft continued turning left while slowly losing altitude until it struck a grove of trees 1.5 miles southeast of the airport. The terrain elevation at the impact site was 480 feet, 256 feet below the airport elevation, with tree tops 80 feet above the ground. The first tree impact occurred on a heading of about 60 degrees. As the aircraft descended through the trees, it turned anti-clockwise 180 degrees from its original heading. After striking the trees, the fuel tanks ruptured, causing a fire that consumed the fuselage. Sixteen occupants were fatally injured, and seven were seriously injured. Survivors escaped through broken windows on the right side or the right rear escape hatch.