Accident Details
A private pilot, who did not hold a current medical certificate, fueled a multiengine airplane before departure. Shortly after, the pilot was seen attempting to repair a fuel leak of unknown origin. The pilot did not hold a mechanic certificate, and the maintenance logbooks showed that the most recent annual inspection was completed 2 years before the accident.
Pilot and Maintenance
After performing undetermined maintenance, the pilot reported to a witness that the fuel leak had been fixed. The pilot then taxied to the runway for takeoff. Witnesses noted a large fuel stain on the ramp where the airplane had been parked, but the amount of fuel that leaked could not be determined.
Witness Observations
The pilot aborted the first takeoff shortly after becoming airborne. He did not state why he aborted, but told the tower controller that he did not need assistance. Shortly thereafter, he requested and was cleared for a second takeoff. During the initial climb, the pilot declared an emergency and was cleared to land on any runway. Witnesses reported that the airplane was between 400 ft and 800 ft above the ground in a left bank and appeared to be turning back to land on an intersecting runway. They thought the airplane would make it back, but the bank angle increased past 90° and the nose suddenly dropped; the airplane subsequently impacted terrain. One of the pilots likened the maneuver to a stall/spin, Vmc roll, or snap roll.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the flight controls and engines did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. The position of the fuel valves was consistent with the fuel being shut off to the left engine. The fuel valves, except the left main valve, functioned when power was applied. The left main valve was intact, but its motor operated intermittently. The amount of fuel found in the left engine injection servo was less than that in the right engine; however, cylinder head temperatures and exhaust gas temperatures were consistent between both engines for the duration of the flight. Whether or to what extent the left engine may have experienced a loss of power could not be determined.
Probable Cause
The available evidence was insufficient to determine why the pilot declared an emergency and elected to return to the airport; however, the airplane's increased left bank and nose-down attitude just before impact is consistent with a loss of control. The official probable cause is the pilot's loss of control while returning to the airport after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.