What happened
On 15 December 2022, at approximately 07:49 UTC, a Pilatus PC-6, registration PK-SNF, departed from Heraklion International Airport (LGIR) in Greece. The aircraft, operated by PT Smart Cakraw/cakrawala Aviation, was performing a private flight under IFR flight rules, destined for Hurghada International Airport. Roughly three minutes into the flight, the aircraft encountered an engine problem. In response to the malfunction, the pilot attempted to execute a return to Heraklion; however, the aircraft ditched into the sea during the approach.
The investigation
The incident involved one pilot and one passenger. While the pilot survived the impact, the single passenger sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact with the water. Following the notification of the accident, the Greek Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIASB) opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the engine failure and the subsequent ditching.