What happened
During the initial climb phase following departure from runway 10 at Skaneateles Airfield, the aircraft experienced a loss of power in its right engine. This mechanical failure led to a loss of control, causing the plane to descend into Lake Skaneateles. The accident resulted in three fatalities and left three individuals injured. The aircraft was destroyed in the crash.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing factors related to both mechanical issues and operational decisions. A primary factor was carburetor icing, which was exacerbated by environmental conditions including low ceilings and snow. The investigation also noted that the pilot failed to properly manage powerplant controls or utilize necessary anti-icing and de-icing equipment.
Additional findings indicated that the preflight preparation was inadequate for the prevailing conditions. Furthermore, several operational parameters contributed to the loss of control:
- The aircraft departed from a runway strip that was too short to reach visible meteorological conditions (VMC) speeds.
- The plane was operating near its maximum gross weight.
- The center of gravity (CofG) was improperly configured.
- Improper operation of the engine and related controls.