Incident Overview
A cargo aircraft executing a flight encountered a failure of its left engine while maneuvering in the traffic pattern at the destination airport. In response, the flight crew raised the landing gear. However, they did not feather the left propeller and did not adjust the aircraft's trim. These actions resulted in a skid and increased aerodynamic drag, rendering further controlled flight impossible.
Emergency Landing
Facing an inability to maintain flight, the crew elected to ditch the aircraft in a lagoon located approximately 2 miles southwest of the airport. The aircraft subsequently came to rest in the water and was not recovered. As a consequence, the underlying cause of the left engine power loss could not be determined.
Crew Injuries
Both pilots escaped the aircraft with minor injuries. No other injuries were reported, as the flight was a cargo operation with no passengers on board.
Official Finding
The probable cause of the accident, as stated by the investigation, is the failure of the flight crew to feather the left propeller and trim the aircraft after the left engine stopped producing power for undetermined reasons.