What happened
During a night cargo flight, the pilot experienced issues with the right engine, which he initially attributed to carburetor icing. Although applying manifold heat temporarily resolved the issue, the right engine subsequently suffered a complete loss of power. Following unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, the pilot declared an emergency and diverted to an alternate airport.
At the time of the incident, local weather conditions were severe due to an active winter storm, which had caused the closure of most nearby airports. The pilot was cleared for an ILS RWY 1 approach. During this approach, the pilot reported that the aircraft continued to accumulate ice, specifically noting a significant increase in accumulation at approximately 300 to 400 feet AGL. Unable to reach the runway, the pilot performed an emergency landing approximately one mile short of the destination.
The investigation
A post-accident investigation was conducted to determine the cause of the engine failure. Investigators found no evidence of a pre-impact mechanical malfunction regarding the right engine.