At 1422, the FSD Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) issued a takeoff clearance to the accident flight. About 30 seconds later, the controller informed the pilot that a smoke plume was visible behind the airplane; however, the controller could not determine exactly from where on the airplane the smoke was coming. The controller subsequently advised the pilot that it looked like the smoke had stopped. At 1424, the controller cleared the flight to land. No communications were received from the pilot after he acknowledged the takeoff clearance. 

Witnesses reported that the airplane appeared to be trailing white smoke from the area of the left engine during takeoff from runway 33. They subsequently observed flames at the inboard side of the left engine. The airplane began a left turn, apparently in an attempt to return to the airport. As the airplane continued the turn, the flames and trail of white smoke were no longer visible. When the airplane reached a south heading, the nose dropped abruptly and it impacted the ground from an altitude of 800 to 1,000 feet above ground level. They stated that they heard the engine sound increase prior to impact. A postimpact fire ensued. 

The airplane impacted an open field about 3/4 mile northwest of the airport. It came to rest upright, with the empennage separated from the aft fuselage. The empennage was in relative position adjacent to the aft fuselage. The fuselage and empennage were oriented on approximate magnetic headings of 078 degrees 151 degrees, respectively. A scorched area about 230 feet long by 40 feet wide emanated from the fuselage oriented approximately 120 degrees. 

All major airframe components were located at the accident site. The fuselage and wings were damaged by the postimpact fire. Both the left and right engines remained attached to the airframe. The right propeller hub was fractured and all three propeller blades had separated. One blade was embedded into the ground adjacent to the right horizontal stabilizer. The remaining two blades were located in the debris field about 140 feet and 300 feet from the right engine, respectively. The left propeller hub was also fractured. One propeller blade had separated from the hub and was located under the left engine. The other two blades remained attached to the propeller hub. Teardown examinations of both engines are pending.