Occurrence
On 27 January 2023, a Chartright Air Inc. Cessna 560 Encore (registration C-FYMM, serial number 560-0705) departed from Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport (CYYZ), Ontario, on an instrument flight rules flight to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE), Florida, United States. The aircraft carried 2 flight crew and 3 passengers. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to cruise altitude, the engine cowl doors detached from the left-engine nacelle. The aircraft subsequently experienced a loss of control. After a significant loss of altitude, the flight crew regained control, declared an emergency, and diverted to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (KBUF), New York, United States, where the aircraft landed without further incident.
Post-Landing Events
While the aircraft was taxiing, a remaining piece of the lower cowl door fell from the aircraft. No other pieces of the cowl doors were located.
Injuries and Damage
The aircraft's aft fuselage and horizontal stabilizer were damaged. The flight crew and 2 passengers received minor injuries, and 1 passenger received serious injuries.