What happened
During the cruise phase of flight, a significant mechanical failure occurred when the propeller blades on the left engine became detached from the engine assembly. This separation led to an immediate loss of control for the aircraft. Following the structural failure, the plane entered a steep dive and impacted the surface of a lake situated in the vicinity of Henderson.
The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were four fatalities among the occupants on board during the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the primary cause was the separation of the propeller blades from the left engine. This event, referred to as an engine tearaway, was triggered by a fatigue fracture within the propeller components.