What happened
During the takeoff phase of flight, the pilot experienced a sudden loss of power in the right engine. In response to the engine failure, the crew initiated an aborted takeoff procedure. However, the aircraft could not be kept on the runway centerline, and the pilot was unable to bring the plane to a complete stop before it veered off the edge of the active runway.
Following the departure from the paved surface, the aircraft descended down a 40-foot embankment. The sequence concluded when the plane slid into a nearby frozen swamp.
Findings
An inspection of the aircraft following the accident identified mechanical issues within the right engine's fuel system. Specifically, investigators discovered a broken coupling on the fuel pump and a seized rotor shaft within the fuel pump assembly. These mechanical failures were the primary cause of the engine power loss during the takeoff roll.