What happened
During a scheduled local test flight following maintenance work, an aircraft was performing a series of touch-and-go maneuvers at Laredo Airport. As the aircraft entered its initial climb phase, the left engine experienced a loss of power. This failure was followed closely by a loss of power in the right engine.
In response to the dual engine failure, the crew initiated a descent to lower their altitude. The aircraft subsequently ditched in Casa Blanca Lake, coming to rest approximately 50 feet from the shoreline. The aircraft settled in roughly six feet of water.
Findings
- All three crew members were successfully evacuated from the aircraft without injury.
- The primary factor in the emergency was the sequential loss of power in both engines during the climb.