Cessna 421-C | N421GP

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot likely encountered a left engine, or ;eft engine propeller control abnormal after takeoff. The aircraft pilot indicated a “control problem” to ATC while in flight and then made a descending, gear down left turn back towards the airport. It is suspected that the increased drag from the left side of the aircraft eventually caused a complete loss of control, whereby the aircraft struck power lines and continued into trees before crashing into a townhome where one person was killed. The aircraft was lightly loaded and flown by two rated pilots, and should have been able to maintain a wings level shallow climb and eventual slow turn to the right. The exact nature of the abnormal is unknown at this time, but it is apparent that an abnormal did exist, and that the abnormal was not handled properly, resulting in a complete loss of control and crash.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all multi engine aircraft rehearse and condition themselves for flight engine or propeller abnormal conditions, and be fully prepared to feather a propeller, secure an engine and fly wings level at not less than Vxse until reaching a safe altitude, and then making all turns in a direction opposite of the side of the abnormal.