Accident Sequence
The pilot of a twin-engine airplane, accompanied by a pilot-rated passenger, reported that during a missed approach in instrument meteorological conditions at 2,000 feet mean sea level, the right engine seized. The pilot attempted to feather the right engine by pulling the propeller control to the feather position, but the engine did not feather. The airplane could not maintain level flight, prompting the pilot to navigate to a known airport while the passenger made emergency communications with air traffic control.
Emergency Response and Ditching
The pilot was unable to maintain visual reference with the ground until the airplane descended through about 100 to 200 feet, at which point visibility was 1 statute mile. The pilot stated that he was forced to ditch the airplane in the water about 5 miles short of the airport. After the ditching, the pilot and passenger egressed the airplane and swam ashore before it sank in about 89 feet of water. Both reported that there was postimpact fire on the surface of the water.
Investigation
The airplane was not recovered, which precluded a postaccident examination. Consequently, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.