What happened
The pilot planned an overwater flight lasting approximately 13.5 hours, with the intention of arriving at the destination after dark. During the early stages of the flight, the aircraft maintained regular radio contact and provided all required hourly position reports to air traffic control.
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. The flight lasted roughly 15 hours before the aircraft impacted the jungle on the Island of Hawaii, located 90 nautical miles southeast of its intended destination.
The investigation
An examination of the airplane determined that the aircraft was in cruise flight at the time of the accident. Investigators found no mechanical anomalies within the aircraft's systems. Additionally, a post-mortem examination of the pilot showed no evidence of pre-accident pathological conditions that would have rendered the pilot incapable of operating the airplane.