Accident Summary
On a night charter flight, a pilot conducted two visual approaches to Grand Manan, New Brunswick, after departing Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. During the second approach, the left engine manifold pressure dropped and the aircraft required increasing right rudder to maintain direction. The pilot feathered the left propeller, but the aircraft did not accelerate or climb despite full power on the right engine. It entered a shallow descent into fog, struck trees, pitched nose-down, and impacted the ground. A post-impact fire destroyed the aircraft. The pilot sustained serious injuries but self-extricated and reached a nearby cabin, where a ground search team found him approximately three hours later.
Flight Details
The flight originated in Grand Manan at 1938 Atlantic daylight time (ADT) as a charter to Yarmouth with the pilot and five passengers. After disembarking the passengers, the aircraft departed Yarmouth at 2106 ADT for a night visual flight back to Grand Manan. The pilot was unable to land on the first visual approach due to low weather conditions, prompting a second approach.
Approach and Emergency
During the second visual approach, the pilot observed low manifold pressure on the left engine and increasing right rudder requirements. After feathering the left propeller and applying full right engine power, the aircraft failed to accelerate or climb. It began a shallow descent into a fog layer before colliding with trees, pitching nose-down, and crashing.
Impact and Rescue
The impact and subsequent fire destroyed the aircraft. The pilot suffered serious injuries but managed to exit the wreckage and walk to a nearby cabin. A ground search team located him about three hours after the crash.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the aircraft lost power on the left engine during the approach for undetermined reasons, resulting in a descent into the ground. The cause of the engine power loss remains unknown. The low airspeed at the time of power loss reduced the time available for the pilot to follow the emergency procedures in the Pilot's Operating Handbook and contributed to the poor single-engine performance.