THE DTSB
The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot initiated a VMC departure from runway 16 on an IFR flight plan, and then became surprised by a pronounced engine backfire, and loss of thrust, as reported by numerous witnesses. The accident pilot then turned slightly right, then left, in an apparent attempt to return to runway 09, or the departure runway. The aggressive left turn while attempting to climb resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact. The engine continued to run and produce power through the entire accident sequence. Numerous ground witnesses heard the engine problem and observed a puff of smoke as the accident aircraft climbed initially, reaching a maximum height of around 200 feet AGL. The accident pilot impacted with the left wing low and while fully stalled, and just short of an open area. The left side of the cockpit impacted a rigid utility pole directly across from 716 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA, causing the death of the accident pilot. The right seat occupant survived and was extracted from the wreckage by emergency services, but died a few days later. There was no post impact fire. The Probable Cause of this accident is the accident pilot’s decision to turn aggressively when surprised, while the airplane appeared to continue to climb with the engine running, before it entered a very steep left turn to the northeast. The Probable Cause was a failed Impossible Turn.