What happened
On August 20, 2020, an experimental Lancair Super ES, registration N997S, crashed into White Iron Lake near Ely, Minnesota. The pilot, who was not instrument rated, had delayed his departure from Ely Municipal Airport (ELO) to wait for fog to clear at his destination, Grand Marais, Minnesota.
Radar data indicated the aircraft departed ELO at approximately 2201 and flew a northeasterly course at altitudes between 2,500 and 2,900 feet MSL. During the flight, the aircraft made several turns at low altitudes. The aircraft's track remained outside the P-204 prohibited area, which requires aircraft to maintain an altitude above 4,000 feet MSL over the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area.
Witnesses at White Iron Beach Resort observed the aircraft performing several maneuvers through a developing cloud layer. They reported seeing the airplane dive toward the water, climb back into the clouds, and then perform a steep, straight-up climb. One witness noted the engine noise sounded irregular, appearing to cut out and then rev up. Shortly after, the aircraft was seen descending in a straight, nose-down dive, followed by a loud "boom" sound.
At the time of the accident, an AIRMET Sierra was in effect for the area, forecasting instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) due to mist and fog. The pilot had not filed a flight plan, nor was there a record of him obtaining a weather forecast through an automated flight service station. There was no communication between the pilot and air traffic control during the flight.
The investigation
The wreckage of the aircraft was located approximately 25 feet underwater in White Iron Lake. Examination of the recovered airframe components showed no mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation, though flight control cables showed signs of overstress. The engine and propeller were not recovered.
An instructor previously trained the pilot in instrument flight techniques using a view-limiting device. The instructor stated that the pilot struggled with maintaining courses and was not prepared for flight in instrument meteorological conditions or for an instrument rating checkride.