Event Summary
On a ferry permit flight, the pilot experienced a failure of the #4 cylinder on the left engine. As a result, the aircraft did not attain the single-engine best rate of climb speed (VYSE) and began to descend. The pilot then ditched the aircraft in a lake. The aircraft was not recovered following the ditching.
Engine Failure and Drag
The failure of the left engine caused the cowling on the inoperative engine to open. This added considerable drag to the airframe, further reducing the aircraft's airspeed.
Missing Records
Investigators noted that no records were available for the engines or the airframe, which limited the ability to assess maintenance history.