What happened
During a southbound cruise near Gilmer, a blade from the left engine propeller assembly detached while the aircraft was in flight. In response to this mechanical failure, the crew initiated an emergency procedure by reducing altitude to attempt a landing. As the aircraft approached for a nighttime touchdown, the left engine separated completely from the airframe. This sudden structural loss rendered the airplane uncontrollable, leading to a crash in a remote desert region. All four occupants on board were killed in the accident.
Findings
The investigation determined that the initial failure was caused by an unbalanced condition resulting from the breaking of a propeller blade. Physical evidence supported this conclusion, as the detached engine was recovered approximately one mile southwest of the main wreckage site, while fragments of the broken propeller blade were found about 300 yards west of the engine. The final loss of control during the emergency landing attempt is attributed to the absence of the left outboard engine's weight and the subsequent disruption of airflow over the wing.