On September 27, 1982, a Beech C45H (registration N3120G) operated by Lloyd F. Hardy was involved in an aviation accident near Near Deering, AK. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After losing power in the left engine, the pilot shut it down but failed to add power to the right engine in time, resulting in low airspeed and altitude. He performed a wheels-up landing on tundra, sliding into a lake. All occupants reached shore uninjured.
Incident Overview
An aircraft experienced a loss of power in its left engine during cruise flight. The pilot elected to shut down the affected engine. During the shutdown procedure, he did not add power to the right engine promptly enough to maintain airspeed and altitude. By the time he applied power, the airspeed had dropped below 100 knots and the altitude was less than 800 feet above ground level.
Forced Landing and Outcome
The pilot then committed to a forced landing on tundra with the landing gear retracted. The aircraft slid wheels-up into a lake, where it sank and was not recovered. All occupants were able to exit the aircraft and reach shore without injury.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that the left engine lost power while the aircraft was cruising. He initiated a shutdown of that engine. However, his delayed application of power to the right engine resulted in a critical loss of airspeed and altitude. Unable to regain sufficient performance, he opted for a wheels-up landing on the tundra. The aircraft subsequently slid into the adjacent lake.