Accident Overview
A Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche departed for a local multi-engine training flight. Minutes later, the aircraft impacted water. The circumstances of the flight prior to the impact were observed by several witnesses, who reported varying actions of the airplane.
Witness Observations
Multiple witnesses observed the airplane before it struck the water. Their accounts described different maneuvers or behaviors of the aircraft, though the source does not specify the exact nature of these actions.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the impact attitude. The aircraft contacted the water in a near flat attitude, rotating nose left, with the right wing lower than the left wing. Metal distortion was present on the tip tanks and outboard sections of both wings. The pattern of distortion indicated that the left wing moved rearward and the right wing moved forward at the time of impact. The tip weight on the rudder was bent over to the right. Both engine mounts exhibited deformation to the right.
Propeller and Engine Findings
Damage to both propellers was consistent with the propellers operating in the governing range, at or near the same power setting, and not feathered. No evidence of a pre-existing failure or malfunction was found in the airframe or engines.