Reply #177: I am of the opinion

[lala_rawraw]

That the problem was mechanical and that the engine had serious issues. The witnesses I talked to, who have lived near the airport for 20+ years and one is a pilot even, said they had never heard anything like it. The engine was, according to them, accelerating the closer he got to the ground. So I think the engine is where the problem was and I think it took him by surprise given his response.

NTSB investigator told us that he did not believe it was icing either, but that the investigation is not complete, so he cannot say 100%. But thus far, they all agree there was no icing and other pilots around that time have also said that they did not have icing issues.