Overview
The pilot planned a flight over water lasting about 13.5 hours, scheduled to arrive at the intended destination after dark. During the initial portion of the flight, the pilot maintained radio contact and provided required hourly position reports. However, for the final five hours of the flight, no radio contact or position reports were received, despite repeated attempts by air traffic control to establish communication.
Accident Details
The flight lasted approximately 15 hours before impacting terrain. The accident site was located in a jungle on the Island of Hawaii, about 90 nautical miles southeast of the intended destination. Examination of the airplane revealed that it was in cruise flight at the time of impact, with no mechanical anomalies found.
Pilot Medical Information
A post mortem examination of the pilot showed no evidence of preaccident pathological conditions that would have made the pilot incapable of operating the aircraft.