What happened
While flying between Montreal and Toronto, the crew encountered a mechanical failure that resulted in an engine fire. In response to the emergency, the pilot lowered the altitude of the aircraft and initiated an emergency landing procedure on the surface of Lake Ontario. The specific area selected for the ditching was noted to be icy.
Upon contact with the water, the twin-engine aircraft slid across the surface on its floats before eventually coming to a stop. Despite the controlled nature of the initial impact, the airframe quickly became engulfed in flames. As the sole occupant, the pilot successfully evacuated the burning wreckage and remained unhurt. The structural integrity of the plane was compromised by the intense heat, leading to the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
The official investigation identified the primary factor behind the incident as an engine fire. This mechanical failure necessitated the immediate emergency landing on the lake, which ultimately resulted in the loss of the airframe.