What happened
During a repositioning flight intended for an annual inspection, an aircraft departed the runway and began a standard climb. Witnesses, including air traffic controllers, observed the plane climbing normally until it reached approximately 0.5 miles from the runway. At that point, the aircraft experienced several attitude excursions and a right-wing roll before descending rapidly into a nearby lagoon. Radar data confirmed the aircraft remained airborne for roughly 40 seconds, reaching an altitude of approximately 500 feet.
Findings
An investigation of the engines, systems, and airframe found no mechanical failures that would have prevented the flight from continuing normally. While propeller blade damage indicated that both engines were producing low to moderate power at impact, the damage to the left propeller was more significant than that of the right. The flight path and observed maneuvers were consistent with a loss of power in the right engine, which led to a loss of control as the airspeed dropped below the minimum control speed (VMC).
The investigation noted that the airspeed indicators lacked required markings for single-engine operating speeds, such as VMC or VYSE. However, under the aircraft's original certification basis (CAR 3), such markings were not mandatory, and no retroactive FAA or manufacturer mandates existed for this specific model. Additionally, while toxicology results indicated the pilot had previously used marijuana, investigators could not confirm if the pilot was impaired at the time of the accident. The specific cause for the right engine's power loss remains undetermined.