20011212035249A

(-23) On December 12, 2001, at approximately 1610 CST, a Beech BE-55, N99DC, piloted by ralph kiper, operating as a 14 CFR part 91 flight, crashed after takeoff from Dannelly Field, Montgomery regional airport (mgm). Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan was filed to shreveport downtown airport (dtn). The airplane was destroyed by post crash fire and the pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Shortly prior to the crash the pilot stated his intentions to return to the field but gave no indication as to why. ATC told him he could turn to the right to return and offered vectors to the ILS approach if required. The pilot said "no we'll go to the right". The aircraft crashed approximately two minutes after takeoff in a wooded area approximately one mile east of the airport and one quarter mile south of the extended centerline of runway 10. The right engine prop indicated that the right engine had either low or no power at impact and was not feathered. The left prop showed signs of scoring on the leading edge and the left engine appeared to be delivering power at impact. The aircraft came to rest in a near level attitude and the nearby treesshowed evidence of a steep trajectory typically associated with a stall/spin accident. No indication of loss of directional control due to asymmetric power was evident. The aircraft had refueled prior to the crash but the fuel was tested and no abnormalities were found. Subsequent engine tear down analysis failed to identify a cause for any loss of power. (.4) the pilot departed Montgomery, Alabama, on an IFR flight plan with a 700 feet overcast ceiling. Shortly after takeoff the pilot informed the controller, "we are coming back for a minute." The pilot did not state why. The controller asked the pilot to say his request. The pilot stated, "uh I'm going to circle to the left or right either one and land again." The controller instructed the pilot to circle to the right and asked him if he had the airport in sight and if he would like vectors to the ILS. The pilot replied, "no we'll go to the right." There was no other recorded radio communication with the pilot. Review of radar data revealed the airplane was last observed at 800 feet with a decrease in groundspeed. Examination of the crash site revealed the airplane collided with the terrain in a vertical descent in a slight right turn. There was no evidence of a crash debris line at the crash site. The lower surface of the wing skin displayed evidence of upward compression. There was no evidence of a pre-crash mechanical failure of the airframe, flight controls, engine assemblies or propellers.