Merlin Had Engine Problems Before Crash

The crash landing of the Merlin twin turboprop at Teterboro Airport, N.J., on May 31 followed a flight in which the pilot had aborted his first takeoff at Nantucket Memorial Airport, Mass. He told the tower there that he had a problem and was “trying it again.” His second attempt was successful but on final approach to Teterboro, he transmitted that he had “an engine surging and another engine that seems like I lost control or speed.” The crash substantially damaged the airplane (N22DW) and seriously injured the sole-occupant pilot. At press time, the NTSB was examining samples of the fuel on board.