Accident Sequence
Witnesses reported that the aircraft used almost the entire runway length during its ground roll. After rotation and gear retraction, it climbed in a nose-high attitude to an estimated altitude of 100 to 150 feet. The aircraft then began a right bank of approximately 20 degrees, struck power lines, and crashed into the top of a printing shop located about three-quarters of a mile from the airport.
Background
Airport employees stated that the aircraft had been experiencing undetermined problems with the right engine for a few weeks prior to the accident. Despite these issues, the aircraft continued to be flown, and the right engine was running extremely rough at the time of the accident.
Occupants
All three occupants on board were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation identified the probable cause as a loss of engine power during the initial climb due to an undetermined engine assembly problem. The pilot attempted to operate the aircraft with known deficiencies, and propeller feathering was performed. The subsequent forced landing led to an in-flight collision with transmission wires and a nonresidential building.