On June 22, 1987, a Cessna 310R (registration N98836) was involved in an aviation accident near Kailua, HI. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Cessna 310R was ditched in the Pacific Ocean about 500 nautical miles southwest of Hawaii after the #2 engine failed during cruise at 8,000 feet. The aircraft was unable to maintain altitude on one engine and was flown in excess of its maximum certificated gross weight.
Incident Overview
A Cessna 310R was ditched in the Pacific Ocean approximately 500 nautical miles southwest of Hawaii following an engine failure. The pilot reported that the #2 engine failed while the aircraft was in cruise flight at 8,000 feet mean sea level. Oil was observed leaking from the engine cowling.
Sequence of Events
After the failure, the aircraft was unable to maintain altitude using the #1 engine alone. The pilot reversed course and attempted to dump fuel in the hope of improving the airplane's single-engine performance. The aircraft was equipped with a temporary long-range fuel system installed in the fuselage and was being flown in excess of its maximum certificated gross weight. The ferry tank fuel was drained into the aircraft's fuselage. The pilot stated that he hoped the fuel would flow out through holes in the fuselage; he reported that fuel was flowing around his feet.
Unable to maintain altitude, the aircraft was ditched in the ocean approximately 45 minutes later. Records indicate the aircraft was serviced with 375.5 gallons of fuel the evening prior to the flight.