What happened
On the evening of the accident, a flight departed from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) at approximately 18:33. The aircraft was traveling northwest toward the Pahokee VOR/airport (PHK) as part of a second training session for the two occupants on board. The flight served a dual purpose: a new-hire pilot was undergoing a pre-check ride under the supervision of an instructor, while the instructor was also being evaluated by the air taxi's director of operations for a potential company check airman designation.
The aircraft was operating under visual flight rules in uncontrolled airspace and was not in communication with air traffic control at the time. At 19:02, radar contact was lost by Miami ARTCC at a position 12 nautical miles from the PHK VOR on the 334-degree radial, at an altitude of 1,300 feet above ground level. Following an eight-day search, the wreckage and the 3 fatalities were located at the bottom of a lake. The site of the impact was consistent with the radial used during a VOR Runway 17 approach.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft remained largely intact, with damage limited to the nose cone, two nacelle doors, and the left propeller. There was no evidence of mechanical failure, engine malfunction, or airframe issues. Furthermore, investigators found no signs of a bird strike. Data indicated that both engines were producing power and the aircraft was in a wings-level attitude and approach configuration at the moment of water contact.