Palm Beach County Park-Lantana

On December 8, 2012, at 1334 eastern standard time, a Cessna 421C, N297DB, operated by a private individual, was destroyed when it collided with trees and terrain following a loss of control after takeoff from North Palm Beach County Airpark (LNA), Lantana, Florida. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot took delivery of the airplane from a maintenance facility that had just completed an annual inspection and repainting of the airplane. According to the owner of the facility, who was a certificated pilot and an airframe and powerplant mechanic, the pilot completed the preflight inspection and the airplane was towed outside. The pilot started the airplane, but then shutdown to resolve an alternator charging light. Afterwards, the pilot stated that he planned to fly to Okeechobee, Florida, complete a few landings, and then continue to Miami. According to the mechanic, the pilot performed a ground run of the airplane for several minutes before taxiing to the approach end of Runway 3 for takeoff. The airplane lifted off about halfway down the runway and climbed at a "normal" rate. The mechanic then observed the airplane suddenly yaw to the left "for a second or two" and the airplane's nose continued to pitch up before rolling left and descending vertically, nose-down, until it disappeared from view. Several witnesses provided similar accounts to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and the local sheriff's department. One witness, a certificated flight instructor said, "The airplane just kept pitching up, and then it looked like a VMC roll."

The commercial pilot, who was also the former owner of the twin-engine airplane, stated that the purpose of the flight was to reposition the airplane to an airport approximately 22 miles south of the departure airport. Just prior to the flight, he purchased 10 gallons of fuel for each of the two main tanks. The pilot reported that about 5 minutes after takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet, he experienced a "loss of engine power." However, his three separate accounts of the event were inconsistent with respect to which engine had a problem, or the specific nature of the problem. The pilot reported that the airplane started to lose altitude "rapidly," and that he attempted to "wag the wings" in order to "get all the fuel to be useable." The airplane struck a building and terrain approximately 8 miles south of the departure airport. The pilot sustained serious injuries, but there was no fire. Damage to the left engine and propeller was consistent with the engine running at impact, and precluded an attempt to run the left engine in a test cell. Damage to the right engine and propeller was consistent with low or no power at impact. The right engine was subsequently successfully run in a test cell. No evidence of any pre-accident anomalies that could have contributed to the accident was noted with the airframe, engines, or propellers. The fuel selector valve placards did not accurately depict the fuel system configuration. The fuel quantity and its distribution in the tanks, either at the beginning of the flight or at the time of the accident, could not be determined.

The pilot reported that prior to takeoff, he completed a preflight inspection of the airplane that included checking the engine oil quantity. The line personnel topped off the oil reservoirs, and reportedly secured the engine oil reservoir filler caps. Approximately two minutes into the flight, the right engine oil pressure warning light illuminated. The pilot informed Palm Beach Approach Control of the engine oil pressure problem, shut down the right engine, and returned to Lantana. As the flight approached runway 03, the pilot heard a radio transmission from another airplane taxiing for takeoff. As the pilot continued the approach, with full flaps extended, he elected to go-around 1500 feet from the approach end of the 3000-foot runway. The airplane collided with the ground during the go-around maneuver to runway 15. The wreckage examination also disclosed that the right cowling showed oil streaming back from behind the engine and onto the wing strut. Inspection of the oil filler cap revealed that it had not been properly installed.

The airplane was observed to rotate about 3,217 feet down the 3,746-feet runway. One or both engines were heard running rough. The airplane climbed to about 300 feet agl, banked left, pitched nose down and impacted the ground. During the investigation, the left engine operated to full rated rpm after replacement of the damaged ignition harness, adjustment of the turbocharger density controller, and adjustment of the magneto-to-engine timing. The right engine also operated normally after replacement of the magneto, ignition harness, and engine-driven fuel pump. The density controller required adjustment to obtain full rated rpm. The #3 cylinder fuel injector nozzle was also partially blocked by contaminant. The right engine magneto contact assemblies operationally checked ok. The capacitors were heat damaged. Right engine magneto-to-engine timing and internal timing of the magneto were not determined. Pilot's toxicological results were positive for butalbital (1.768 ug/ml blood, 0.553 ug/ml urine), and also positive for acetaminophen and salicylate (aspirin) in urine. Butalbital is a prescription medication (barbiturate) not approved for flying. Both occupants were killed.

Flight departed and upon reaching a point approx 35 miles north of airport pilot requested return to airport from ATC. Pilot did not declare emergency or report an engine problem. Upon entering traffic pattern at uncontrolled airport pilot stated he would follow a Cessna 152 for landing. On short final aircraft was seen making s turns to maintain spacing behind 152. Pilot then declared he had an engine shutdown and needed to land. 152 was in landing flare and landed. With 152 on runway pilot attempted a go around with full flaps extended, gear down, left engine shutdown, and at a slow airspeed. Aircraft rolled to left upon application of right engine power and nosed down from which it crashed. The number two cylinder of the left engine had suffered separation of the head from the barrel. Pilot logbook did not reflect pilot having current biennial flight review. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Great Inagua Island. SAR operations were initiated but the wreckage nor both occupants were recovered.

Just after rotation, the right engine failed. As the crew failed to feather the propeller, the aircraft stalled and crashed into a lake near the airport. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.