Accident Overview
On February 9, 1986, at 1717 Pacific Standard Time, a Piper PA-23 aircraft, registration N5300Y, ditched in the Pacific Ocean approximately 460 nautical miles southwest of San Francisco, California. The flight had originated from Honolulu, Hawaii.
Flight History and Fuel Leak
The flight proceeded uneventfully for the first seven hours, at which point an in-flight fuel leak was discovered. Fuel vapors were observed contrailing off both wings, indicating the presence of a significant fuel leak. The pilot attempted to isolate the leak but was unsuccessful. During the attempt, the aircraft's crossfeed selector and fuel selectors became difficult to move. The source of the fuel leak was determined to be located either in the wing or in the crossfeed system.
Ditching
Due to the progressive fuel loss and inability to isolate the leak, the aircraft eventually exhausted its fuel supply. After a total flight time of 9 hours and 45 minutes, the pilot executed a ditching. The aircraft was lost in the ditching. The specific outcome regarding occupants or injuries is not detailed in the source.