What happened
During the initial climb phase following takeoff, the crew identified a malfunction involving the right engine. The copilot notified air traffic control that the aircraft needed to return to the airport because the right engine had been shut down. Almost immediately after this report, the tower controller observed flames originating from the aircraft.
As the aircraft attempted to manage the emergency, it struck level ground approximately 3,450 feet beyond the end of runway 21. At the moment of impact, the aircraft type was in a steep nose-down descent, angled between 75° and 80°. The accident resulted in two fatalities, as both pilots were killed in the crash.
Findings
Post-accident investigations revealed that the propeller on the right engine was in the feathered position. While the left engine showed evidence of producing power during the descent, the right engine was non-operational. Investigators identified a fatigue crack that caused the head of the number eight cylinder on the right engine to separate from its barrel. No other mechanical malfunctions or failures were identified as contributing to the accident.