Incident Summary
During a trans-Pacific ferry flight from California to Hawaii, the pilot reported a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and subsequently ditched the airplane in the Pacific Ocean approximately 7 nautical miles northeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The pilot was rescued by the US Coast Guard after exiting the aircraft. The airplane sank shortly after the rescue.
Flight Details
The pilot departed California with approximately 393 gallons of fuel, which he calculated to be about 14 hours of endurance. Approximately 9 hours after takeoff, the pilot determined that a change in wind velocity would prevent him from reaching his destination. He attempted to extend his range by reducing fuel consumption but was unable to make it to the intended destination. The total flight duration was approximately 13 hours.
Ditching and Rescue
After the engine power loss, the pilot executed a ditching. He exited the airplane and was rescued by the US Coast Guard. The airplane sank shortly after the pilot was rescued.