What happened
Following takeoff, the pilot notified air traffic controllers that the aircraft had experienced a loss of power in one of its engines. In an attempt to return to the airport, the pilot executed a sharp turn to the left, followed by a right-hand turn toward the runway. During this right-hand maneuver, the nose of the aircraft type dropped, resulting in a nose-first crash onto a taxiway.
At the time of the incident, the pilot had limited recent experience with this specific model. Since acquiring the aircraft in March 1996, the pilot had accumulated only approximately 22 total flight hours, with 2.5 of those hours dedicated to transition and checkout training. Most of the pilot's recent flight history involved short sightseeing excursions.
Findings
An investigation into the aircraft's structural integrity and flight control systems showed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction prior to the impact. Detailed inspections of the engines and propellers yielded no findings that would explain an engine or propeller failure. While the left propeller was found in a feathered position, the right propeller was positioned at a high blade angle, with damage patterns suggesting the engine was still operating at the time of the crash. There were no preimpact mechanical failures identified in the flight control systems or engine components.