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Some sad news from NTSB this evening, a fatal crash of an ICON in Minnesota. Condolences to the family and friends.

Assumed to be https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N239BA/



https://www.kare11.com/article/news/...c-2fb029f3c75d

The crashed plane was in approximately 26 feet of water and was occupied by only the 47-year-old pilot from Blaine, according to Burton. “These two were very close friends, they were both flying the same type of aircraft. The Friend was flying about a quarter mile behind the crashed one – he was able to see the impact when it hit the water,” said Burton.

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...ke-mille-lacs/

Authorities are investigating after a small plane crashed into Lake Mille Lacs on Friday afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration says a single-engine Icon A5 crashed into the lake around 1:50 p.m. Only the pilot was on board, according to the FAA.

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More details

https://www.hometownsource.com/union...ed2f86365.html

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Some more news this morning from this sad event.

https://www.fox9.com/news/mille-lacs...rescue-efforts

Authorities recovered the 47-year-old Blaine pilot’s body just before 10 p.m., Sheriff Burton said.

https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/...lle-lacs-lake/

One of the planes successfully landed but the other crashed into the lake and is nose-down in 26 feet of water, authorities said. Investigators believe that the pilot, the sole occupant of the plane, is still inside.

https://lptv.org/floatplane-crashes-...water-landing/

The Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office reports that two planes took off from the Anoka airport around 1 this afternoon and flew to Mille Lacs Lake, where they were going to make brief water landings before traveling to Aitkin County. One plane made a successful landing, but the other went into the lake near Kathio Township.

A local fisherman helped locate the plane about 26 ft under water.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CuIEl0xA2wG/?hl=en

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Sad news indeed... Hopefully we can find out what happened from the other Icon pilot.

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It appears the other ICON that witnessed the accident was N268BA. The ADS-B data drops out before they get to Millie Lacs Lake, so no useful data from there.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N268BA



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In the KSTP Interview, the local sheriff provided a few more details.

https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/...lle-lacs-lake/

"The two pilots were very close friends flying together heading up towards a cabin up in Aitkin County. [The pilot] saw a splash and initially thought he had landed because both of these aircraft are able to land on water as well as land. But then he saw the debris right away and knew that it wasn't a landing and that the guy had crashed."

He added that it is believed the pilot had over 20 years of flying experience.

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The pilot has been identified as the registered owner, Ryan Comer.

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...-pilot-killed/

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Preliminary report was publish today
https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/a...ort/192494/pdf

“According to the pilot of the second airplane, both pilots descended over the lake to about 50 to 75 feet above the surface of the water, the accident airplane was “a bit lower.” Both pilots were communicating to each other through onboard radios. The accident pilot’s son was driving on a road on the west shore of the lake communicating to the accident pilot via cellular telephone. The pilots agreed to fly closer to the west shore of the lake. The pilot of the second airplane initiated a climb and turned toward the west. In his peripheral vision, he noticed a splash and thought the accident pilot had landed. He made several radio calls to the accident pilot with no response.”

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Ugh, Ugh, Ugh. My theory, only because I have done it at altitude. Tried a cell call, couldn’t hear a thing, reverted to a text. Distracted piloting, while flying low. I guess phone records will prove or disprove my theory.

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Hi everyone - I wanted to make you all aware that ICON is actively cooperating with the NTSB on this investigation. Our hearts go out to the Comer family. ICON will not be speculating on this investigation and we will share information once the facts have been determined and it's relevant to do so. Please stay safe out there.
Best,
Jerry