What happened
On 27 January 2023, a Cessna 560 Encore, operating under the registration C-FYMM, was performing an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight from Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The aircraft, operated by Chartright Air Inc., was carrying two crew members and three passengers.
During the initial climb to cruise altitude, the engine cowl doors on the left-engine nacelle became detached. This separation caused the aircraft to experience a loss of control. Following a notable drop in altitude, the flight crew managed to stabilize the aircraft and declared an emergency. The flight was diverted to Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York, where the aircraft landed safely.
While the aircraft was taxiing on the ground, a remaining portion of the lower cowl door fell away from the plane. The incident resulted in 3 injuries, specifically two minor injuries and 1 serious injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the mechanical failure and the subsequent flight path. The inspection of the aircraft revealed damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the aft fuselage. The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the detachment of the left-engine nacelle components and the structural impact of the falling parts on the aircraft's airframe.