Primary finding
Probable cause
Smoke trailing from the left engine for an undetermined reason(s). Factors contributing to the accident were unsuitable terrain conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot noticed black smoke trailing from the left engine. Suspecting a fire, he elected to land straight ahead in an open pasture. The pasture was wet and slightly downhill making braking ineffective. The airplane struck a large tree with the left wing, spinning the airplane 180 deg into a fence row. No evidence of an inflight fire was found on the left engine.
Source record
Factual narrative
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