Cessna 337C N2479S

Summary

On 18 May 2001 at about 18:16 local time, a Cessna 337C registered N2479S, operated by Mokulele Flight Service, Inc., was involved in an accident near Paauilo, Hawaii, United States. 5 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 May 2001 at 18:16

Classification

Accident

Location

Paauilo, Hawaii, United States

Coordinates

20.0833, -155.3333

Aircraft

Cessna 337C

Registration

N2479S

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Mokulele Flight Service, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kona → Kona

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX01LA181

Nobody was injured.

A dual loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise, both engines lost power, and the pilot ditched the airplane in the ocean, where it sank off the coastline in 150 feet of water. The purpose of the flight was a tour of the Island of Hawaii. An hour into the flight, after transitioning through Hilo's airspace, the pilot noted fluctuations in both engines with a continued gradual loss of power. He conducted emergency procedures, which included advancing the mixtures, throttles, and propellers, with no change. He also switched to the auxiliary tanks, with the same results, both engines continued to lose power and eventually quit. The pilot briefed the passengers on ditching procedures, opened the emergency exit door, and landed straight ahead. He decided to land in the ocean due to calm and smooth ocean conditions. The pilot and passengers extricated themselves out of the airplane after ditching. There were no unresolved mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident flight. It had been refueled the night before with 44 gallons of fuel. The estimated fuel on board the airplane prior to departure was 75 gallons. Passengers confirmed that both engines quit. The airplane was not recovered.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.