Training Flight from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport Ends in Lake Impact (N788SP)

Flight Details and Purpose The flight departed Fort Lauderdale's Executive Airport (FXE) at approximately 1833 on a northwesterly heading toward the co-located Pahokee VOR/airport (PHK). It was the second training session of the day for the two front-seat occupants. The left-seat occupant, a new hire, was receiving a pre-check ride from the right-seat occupant, who served as instructor and pilot in command. The instructor was also being observed by the air taxi's director of operations in anticipation of an endorsement for an FAA designation as a company check airman. ## Loss of Contact and Recovery The flight was not in contact with any air traffic control facility and was squawking a transponder code consistent with non-controlled, visual meteorological conditions (VMC) flight. At 1902, the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) lost radar contact at the 334-degree radial, 12 nautical miles from the PHK VOR, at 1,300 feet above ground level. Eight days later, the wreckage, with its three occupants still inside, was located and recovered from the lake bottom. The location roughly corresponded with the radial of the PHK VOR that would have to be tracked while performing the VOR Runway 17 approach. ## Wreckage and Evidence The wreckage was intact except for two nacelle doors, the nose cone, and the left propeller. It revealed no engine, airframe, or component failure or malfunction. There was no evidence of a bird strike. Evidence indicated that both engines were developing power and the airplane was wings level in the approach configuration and attitude at water contact.