ACN Summary:
- During taxi, the pilot and the two pilot-rated passengers discussed that a thrust reverser indicator light(s) for an unspecified engine was inoperative, but that the thrust reverser for the affected engine was working properly.
- The PIC required a qualified SIC. The pilot sitting in the right seat was the PIC’s son and only held a PPL with approximately 175 hours of flight time and was not certified to fly this aircraft.
- 10:06, the airplane departed runway 10 at SVH under VFR, bound for SRQ, despite a noted engine power imbalance during takeoff.
- 10:08, the airplane completed a 180° turn at about 2,200 MSL, then continued turning left and descending while repeated attempts to contact ATC and activate the IFR flight plan were unsuccessful.
- 10:09, while descending, the pilot discussed climbing despite VFR requirements, he initiated a climb to 4,500 MSL, a possible engine ITT imbalance was noted, and the autopilot disengaged shortly after.
- 10:10, the pilot reported left‑side instrument failures, control was briefly transferred to the right seat, audio quality degraded, and by about 10:13 the pilot resumed control, configured the airplane for landing despite unlit gear indicators, and advised CTAF of ongoing issues.
- 10:14, the rear passenger mentioned “alternator” and CVR quality was restored. The pilot commented indicating that was the “problem.” The airplane entered the traffic pattern for runway 28, visually acquired the runway, and continued a descending final approach with decreasing airspeed and altitude until recorded data ended.
NTSB’s preliminary report: PDF Click here.
