Departure and Initial Flight
The pilot and passengers departed on a sightseeing flight to view a volcano on the island of Hawaii via Kona, Hawaii, with a planned return. The fuel tanks had been topped off before departure, and reportedly, there was sufficient fuel for the flight. Except for difficulties in starting the engine, which required a jump start due to a low battery, the flight was uneventful until reaching a point between Molokai and Honolulu.
Engine Malfunction
At that location, the engine sputtered and began to run rough. The pilot managed to get the engine running smoothly for a time by adjusting the mixture control, but then it sputtered again and quit running.
Ditching and Rescue
The aircraft was ditched in the open sea. About two hours later, the occupants were rescued by the Coast Guard. The aircraft sank and was not recovered.