What happened
During the final approach phase at Norwich-Lieutenant Eaton Airport, the crew of the aircraft experienced a loss of power in one of the engines. In an attempt to compensate for this failure, the crew increased power to the functioning engine. This maneuver led to an aerodynamic stall, causing the plane to descend into an open field. Following the impact, a fire broke out and completely destroyed the aircraft. Despite the severity of the crash and the subsequent fire, both occupants were successfully rescued from the wreckage.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the crew did not engage the necessary anti-icing or deicing systems while flying through icing conditions. This oversight allowed for the buildup of ice within the carburetor or induction system, which ultimately triggered the engine failure. Additionally, the investigation noted that the captain attempted to restart the right engine during the final approach. The loss of control was further complicated by the fact that the co-pilot lacked specific experience with this particular aircraft type.