What happened
During the initial climb following departure, the pilot notified air traffic control that the left engine had lost power. In response, the controller provided radar vectors to guide the aircraft back toward the departure airfield. While the pilot eventually confirmed the airport was in sight, communication with air traffic control ceased shortly thereafter.
Radar tracking indicated the aircraft was positioned approximately 825 feet from the runway threshold at an altitude of 200 feet. Within seventeen seconds, the aircraft's altitude dropped to 100 feet, and it drifted left of the intended landing path. The final radar contact occurred five seconds later, showing the aircraft at 200 feet above the ground. An eyewitness reported seeing the aircraft pitch upward into a vertical position, followed by a stall and three left-hand spins. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground and ignited.
Findings
An inspection of the airframe and flight control systems showed no mechanical irregularities. However, a teardown of the left engine revealed that the No. 2 connecting rod was damaged. Metallurgical analysis determined that the bearing failure was likely caused by progressive delamination of the bearing surface.
Technical documentation for the aircraft indicates that a minimum altitude of 300 feet is necessary to recover from a power-off stall, regardless of whether the center of gravity is forward or aft. The aircraft's stall speeds were noted as 83 mph (72 knots) with the gear and flaps retracted, and 73 mph (63 knots) with the gear and flaps extended.