20190418003029A

Aircraft was taking off on runway 24 at approximately 1949 hours on April 18, 2019. On the takeoff roll as the aircraft reached approximately 13O0 feet from the runway departure threshold the aircraft began to lift off the runway and climb, aircraft immediately began a shallow bank to the left. Bank angle continued to increase as the aircraft was climbing and rolling left. At approximately 1800 feet from runway departure threshold the aircraft entered a corkscrew type roll while the aircraft was circling to the left circling approximately 330 degrees relative to the runway and then entered a sharp dive at about a 45 degree angle to the ground, impacting the ground and bursting in to flames and exploding after achieving approximately 60 feet in altitude.

Investigation, analysis of numerous security videos, witness interviews & statements, physical examination of aircraft wreckage, aircraft engines and propellers suggest the aircraft engines were able to and appear to have achieve rated power during this takeoff, evaluation did not display any evidence of engine failure. Examination of aircraft wreckage suggest the aircraft flight controls all had continuity and trim actuators were in the normal takeoff positions, fuel tank selector valves were in the correct positions. Aircraft was completely destroyed and consumed by fire, evaluation of remaining wreckage did not suggest any specific system failure that may have contributed to this accident. Analysis of security videos & witness interviews suggest flight controls (elevator & aileron) restriction, supported by aircraft behavior during the takeoff , banking to the left as it lifted off the runway and did not appear to be corrected by the pilot, comparison of security video from different flights conducted on this aircraft illustrate different elevator static positions. Video of the flight previous to accident flight shows the elevators in the trailing edge down (normal) position from aircraft removal from the hangar through takeoff. Analysis of video from the day of the accident illustrates the elevators in the neutral/streamlined position from hangar removal through aircraft take off, suggesting the elevators and ailerons were being held in this position. Witness interviews informed investigator that the accident pilot did something to hold the elevators in the neutral position to provide clearance from the propeller of the Beechcraft baron that is stored in the same hangar as the duke both owned by the accident pilot. Witness did not know what the pilot did to keep elevators in the neutral position, if pilot installed the flight control lock or used some external method. Videos suggest that the elevators and ailerons remained restricted during the accident take off, further suggesting possible ineffective preflight inspection as required, Beechcraft duke pilot operating handbook requires flight control checks during preflight inspection and removal of flight control locks.