Cessna 421-C Golden Eagle | N245T

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be the loss of the left engine, and the pilots attempt to turn left into the dead engine as part of establishing a left base for runway 32 profile. The aircraft operated at maximum power on the right engine, while the left engine was never feathered or secured. The high drag configuration required the pilot to pitch up in order to maintain altitude, whereupon the aircraft was cross controlled, below Vmc, and turning into the dead engine. The aircraft stalled and rolled left, impacting nearly vertical.

The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin at low altitude.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all multi-engine aircraft become familiar with AQP memory items for loss of a powerplant in flight, and condition themselves through regular rigorous recurrent conditioning to be able to effect a proper outcome if necessary. The DTSB recommends to lower the nose, put the gear up, level the wings, Identify, verify, and feather. Make no turns until the aircraft is safely at DMMS (same as Vyse) and a minimum of 1000 feet of altitude is attained above ground level. The DTSB recommends to never turn into a failed engine.