Incident Overview
A failure in the propeller pitch mechanism of one engine rendered its propeller unable to provide deceleration. While landing, the aircraft swerved off the runway into a ditch in an attempt to avoid a truck positioned at the end of the runway.
Damage Assessment
Initial damage from the runway excursion was deemed repairable. However, during a subsequent recovery effort, the aircraft—identified as a Hercules—sustained damage beyond repair. Recovery personnel attempted to tow the aircraft using a tank and a steel cable routed through openings in the fuselage, which resulted in structural failure.
Probable Cause
The investigation identified the failure in the propeller pitch mechanism as the cause of the incident.