Cessna T310R N23BT

Summary

On 8 October 2011 at about 02:23 local time, a Cessna T310R registered N23BT, operated by American King Air, was involved in an accident near Hilo, Hawaii, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 October 2011 at 02:23

Classification

Accident

Location

Hilo, Hawaii, United States

Coordinates

19.7903, -154.9203

Aircraft

Cessna T310R

Registration

N23BT

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

American King Air

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Monterey → Hilo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

WPR12CA004

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s improper fuel planning.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the engine lost power about 12 miles from the airport due to fuel exhaustion, and he ditched the airplane in the Pacific Ocean. The pilot had completed a preflight inspection for the transpacific flight and departed with approximately 393 gallons of fuel, which he calculated to be about 14 hours of fuel endurance. He reported that about 9 hours after takeoff he determined that, due to a change in the wind velocity, he would not reach his destination. He attempted to extend his range by reducing the airplane’s fuel consumption, but was unable to reach the airport. The pilot was rescued, and the airplane sank shortly thereafter. The total duration of the flight was about 13 hours.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.