What happened
During a flight intended to serve as a competency evaluation for the pilot-in-command by an FAA inspector, a B-26 experienced a critical loss of power. The aircraft was traveling southwest at an altitude of roughly 250 feet when observers noted the engines were sputtering. Shortly after the engines ceased functioning, the aircraft executed a sharp right turn and pitched downward, impacting the ground approximately three-quarters of a mile from the witnesses.
Prior to the accident, the pilot had notified Departure Control that the flight objectives included practicing steep turns and stall maneuvers. The controller had instructed the crew to remain within visual flight rules (VFR) at or above 5,500 feet. At the time of the incident, the pilot-in-command possessed roughly 500 hours of experience in this specific aircraft type, though his recent experience was limited; he had only operated the B-26 once in the preceding two years.
Pre-flight checks indicated that approximately 720 gallons of 100 octane low lead avgas were on board. While an inspection of the engines and airframe revealed no obvious discrepancies prior to takeoff, the severity of the impact prevented investigators from confirming the continuity of the flight control systems.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified that the pilot failed to maintain the necessary minimum airspeed, which led to an inadvertent stall and spin. This loss of control was compounded by two primary factors: the unexplained failure of the engines and the pilot's lack of recent flight time in the aircraft.