Event Sequence
The pilot of an aircraft that landed at Catalina Airport reported that while en route between the mainland and the island, the engine quit. Just before impact with the ocean, the pilot was able to restart the engine. During the event, the nose gear struck the water. After landing, the pilot, an Italian national, did not report the accident to the FAA, the Safety Board, or the FBO where the aircraft was rented, and immediately returned to Italy.
Damage Findings
The Catalina Airport Assistant Manager reported damage to the aircraft firewall, propeller, and other external structures following the landing. An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the aircraft and found that the tips of both propeller blades were bent symmetrically backward at 45-degree angles, with no leading edge damage or cordwise scratches. The bottom part of the firewall was bent aft and upward, and crush damage was observed on the bottom of the engine cowl. The entry step was ripped from the aircraft, and the lower rotating beacon was pushed up through the fuselage skin panel. Other external and internal water damage was also noted.
Aftermath
After the airplane landed, airport employees observed the pilot pour a handful of dirt into the oil filler tube. The pilot subsequently left the United States without reporting the incident to the relevant authorities.