Cessna P337H N5KR

Summary

On 14 February 2023 at about 18:00 local time, a Cessna P337H registered N5KR, operated by Big Island Air, INC, was involved in an accident near Kona, Hawaii, United States. 5 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 February 2023 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Kona, Hawaii, United States

Nearest airport

Ellison Onizuka Kona Internati (KOA)

Coordinates

19.7563, -156.0447

Aircraft

Cessna P337H

Registration

N5KR

Category

Airplane

Year built

1979

Engines

2

Operator

Big Island Air, INC

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC23LA023

1 person had minor injuries.

The failure of the pilot to recognize that the rear engine was not operating during takeoff, which resulted in an attempted single-engine takeoff and the airplane’s subsequent descent and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was a loss of rear engine power for reasons that could not be determined.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection and engine run-up, he noted no anomalies with the airplane. Then, on departure, the airplane lost partial power. The pilot performed an emergency landing to the runway overrun area with the landing gear retracted, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the engines revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. During the examination the rear engine started normally, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption. Review of recorded engine monitoring data revealed that the rear engine lost total engine power during the engine run-up. Although the reason for the rear engine’s total loss of power during the engine run-up could not be determined, the pilot should have recognized that the rear engine was not operating during the takeoff roll and aborted the takeoff. Placards on the instrument panel and the owner’s manual stated, “Do not initiate single engine take-off,” The continuation of the takeoff in this condition resulted in the airplane’s inability to climb and its subsequent descent and impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.