The Flight
A training flight departed Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) at approximately 1833 local time, heading northwest toward the co-located Pahokee VOR and airport (PHK). This was the second training session of the day for the two front-seat occupants. The flight had a dual purpose: the left-seat occupant, a new hire, was receiving a pre-check ride from the right-seat occupant, who served as both instructor and pilot-in-command. Additionally, the instructor was being observed by the air taxi's director of operations in anticipation of an endorsement to become an FAA-designated company check airman.
Loss of Radar Contact
The flight was not in contact with any air traffic control facility and was squawking a transponder code consistent with non-controlled, visual flight conditions. At 1902, Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center lost radar contact with the aircraft at the 334-degree radial, 12 nautical miles from the PHK VOR, at an altitude of 1,300 feet above ground level.
Wreckage Recovery
Eight days after the loss of radar contact, the wreckage was located and recovered from the lake bottom. All three occupants were still inside. The location of the wreckage roughly corresponded to the radial of the PHK VOR that would be tracked while performing the VOR Runway 17 approach.
Examination Findings
The wreckage was intact except for two nacelle doors, the nose cone, and the left propeller. No engine, airframe, or component failure or malfunction was found. There was no evidence of a bird strike. Evidence indicated that both engines were developing power at the time of water contact, and the airplane was in an approach configuration with wings level.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude during the approach.