Accident Details
On the day of the accident, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain departed Port-Menier, Quebec, at 1113 Atlantic daylight saving time on a charter flight to Bangor, Maine. The aircraft carried one pilot and seven passengers.
Emergency Declaration
While approaching Charlo, New Brunswick, the pilot reported to Moncton Air Traffic Control Centre that the aircraft had a rough-running engine and announced an emergency landing at Charlo Airport. The pilot then maneuvered the aircraft toward the airport.
Crash Location
The aircraft crashed approximately three miles west of the runway, in the community of Eel River Crossing. All eight occupants sustained fatal injuries.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the accident resulted from a loss of power from the right engine. The pilot did not conserve altitude or configure the aircraft for maximum performance following the power loss. Control was lost, probably while the pilot was attempting to intercept the instrument landing system (ILS) for runway 13 during a low-level turn. Contributing factors included the aircraft's overweight condition and the pilot's lack of in-flight emergency procedures training.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, a twin-engine piston aircraft commonly used for charter operations. No specific registration or serial number was reported.