What happened
During the flight, the pilot encountered weather conditions involving ice, which led to reports of difficulty maintaining altitude and subsequent engine issues. The crew diverted the aircraft toward Allentown, Pennsylvania, after experiencing a loss of power in the left engine. While approach control attempted to provide vectors for a VOR approach, the pilot indicated an inability to access approach plates and requested radar surveillance instead.
As the aircraft approached the airport, witnesses noted that the propeller on the left engine appeared to be feathered. The pilot entered a left downwind pattern for runway 24 at approximately 400 feet above ground level with the landing gear deployed. During this maneuver, observers saw the aircraft's nose pitch upward and then downward before the plane rolled to the left and impacted the ground. The wreckage struck a mobile home and a propane tank, resulting in a fire. This accident resulted in one fatality.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several contributing factors related to the engine failure and subsequent loss of control. The primary cause was determined to be carburetor icing, which blocked the fuel system's induction air. Additionally, the investigation noted that the pilot failed to maintain the minimum controllable airspeed (VMC) during the approach. While the aircraft was initially reported as having a feathered propeller, an examination of the wreckage showed the left propeller blades were actually at the low pitch stops. No mechanical failures were identified prior to the impact.