What happened
During a scheduled maintenance check flight, a twin-engine aircraft experienced a simultaneous loss of power in both engines. The pilot, who is also a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic, had recently acquired the aircraft, which had remained grounded for approximately four years prior to the flight. Before departure, the pilot performed a necessary inspection of the plane.
During the pre-takeoff engine run-up, the pilot observed a discrepancy between the left and right engines, noting that the manifold pressure and RPM on the left engine were not matching the right engine. As the aircraft proceeded with the takeoff roll, the pilot perceived that the RPM on both engines was increasing toward acceptable levels, though they did not reach full operational parameters. Despite these irregularities, the takeoff was not aborted. The aircraft briefly achieved flight before losing altitude and descending into a wooded area, where it struck the ground.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of power in both engines following takeoff.
- The specific reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
- The aircraft had been out of service for nearly four years prior to the maintenance flight.