What happened
During a missed approach conducted under instrument meteorological conditions, the right engine of a twin-engine airplane seized at an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet mean sea level. In an attempt to manage the failure, the pilot tried to feather the propeller by moving the control to the feather position, but the engine failed to feather.
Because the aircraft could not sustain level flight, the pilot directed the plane toward a nearby airport while the passenger handled emergency communications with air traffic control. As the aircraft descended, the pilot lost visual contact with the ground. Visual reference was only regained once the aircraft reached an altitude between 100 and 200 feet, at which point visibility was approximately one statute mile.
Approximately five miles from the destination airport, the pilot was forced to ditch the aircraft in the water. Both the pilot and the passenger successfully exited the aircraft and swam to the shore. Following the impact, a fire was observed on the surface of the water. The aircraft eventually sank in water measuring roughly 89 feet in depth.
Findings
Due to the fact that the aircraft was not recovered, a formal post-accident examination could not be performed. Consequently, the specific reason for the engine power loss remains undetermined.