Event Details
During the initial climb immediately after liftoff, the left engine experienced a total loss of power. The aircraft was unable to maintain airspeed with one engine inoperative, partly because it was climbing slowly just above the surface and was loaded 3,809 pounds above its maximum allowable takeoff gross weight. An emergency landing was attempted, but directional control was lost, and the aircraft stalled and mushed into the terrain alongside the runway. The left engine was examined after the accident, and no malfunctions were found. Both pilots escaped uninjured.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation identified multiple occurrences. The first was a total loss of engine power during initial climb, with an undetermined cause. The second occurrence was a loss of control in flight due to inadequate preflight planning by the pilot in command, exceeding aircraft weight and balance limits, making it impossible to maintain adequate airspeed, leading to an inadvertent stall and mush. The third occurrence was a forced landing. The fourth occurrence involved the main gear collapsing during touchdown, attributed to overload and total failure of the main landing gear.
Probable Cause
The probable cause was an undetermined loss of engine power; the pilot's inadequate preflight planning resulting in exceeding the maximum allowable takeoff gross weight and aircraft weight and balance limits; the inability to maintain airspeed with one engine inoperative; and an inadvertent stall/mush leading to loss of control. Additionally, the main landing gear was overloaded and failed during the forced landing.