Overview
- The NTSB preliminary report, published March 25, says a Cessna 172 lost total power after a touch-and-go at Stewart when rpm fell and oil pressure read zero.
- Flight instructor Liam D’Arcy took control from his 17-year-old student and chose to ditch near the better-lit western shore after judging the airport unreachable.
- The airplane came down in broken ice and hit underwater structures near Newburgh, yet both occupants exited, swam about 50 feet to shore, and were treated for minor injuries and hypothermia.
- The wreckage remained partly afloat and was recovered the next day, and investigators retained it for examination with FAA and Lycoming representatives on the case.
- A final report that assigns probable cause is expected in 12 to 24 months, and the review will pull maintenance records, air traffic recordings, weather data, and surveillance video as standard practice.