What happened
On 27 February 2001, a Shorts SD3-60 Variant 100, registration G-BMNT, was performing a scheduled mail flight from Edinburgh Airport. The aircraft, operated with a crew of two, had been parked at the airport following a period of overnight weather characterized by strong winds and light snow. After a brief technical delay involving a generator issue that was subsequently resolved through ground engine runs, the aircraft departed from Runway 0 06.
During the climb, once the aircraft reached approximately 2,200 feet, the crew activated the engine anti-icing systems. Almost immediately following this action, the torque on both engines dropped rapidly to zero. The crew issued a MAYDAY call to air traffic control, reporting a double engine failure, and subsequently declared an intention to ditch. The aircraft impacted the water in the Firth of Forth near Birnie Rocks. The impact in the shallow water caused severe damage to the airframe, resulting in two fatalities among the crew.