shedding some fuselage covering and apparently skipped an additional 1000 foot where it sank in 10 feet of water. The occupants of the aircraft, with the exception of two passengers, escaped from the wreckage and were rescued by local residents approximately thirty minutes later.
Investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed no indication of malfunction or failure of any of the aircraft equipment prior to impact. The general condition of the wreckage indicated that the first impact of the airplane with the water was in an approximately level attitude both laterally and longitudinally. In the second contact with the water the right wing was appreciably down. The flaps were still projecting approximately three degrees indicating that retraction had not been completed prior to impact. The propellers were found in full low pitch and the throttle settings indicated maximum manifold pressure was being employed at the time of the accident. The testimony of the pilots was in agreement with the above findings.
Investigation disclosed that an adequate fuel supply was provided to have permitted the flight to complete operation in question and that ample fuel was available at the time of the accident. The aircraft was loaded within the allowable gross weight limits and its load was properly distributed with respect to the center of gravity.
The weather observation at Lakeland made at 0100 about 5 minutes before the crash indicated wind direction and velocity substantially the same as that given the flight. Scattered clouds were reported at 400 feet from SE to SW of the field. Weather conditions
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