On December 2, 2012, a CESSNA 172S (registration N3554Y) operated by KRALL JOSE H was involved in an aviation accident near Kahului, HI. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The noninstrument-rated pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent failure to maintain airplane control while operating over water in dark night conditions with reduced visibility due to rain in the area. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A Cessna 172S, N3554Y, impacted the Pacific Ocean near Kahului, Hawaii, on December 1, 2012. The sole occupant, a 51-year-old private pilot, is presumed to have died. The aircraft was substantially damaged, and the main wreckage was not recovered.
Accident Overview and Flight Details On December 1, 2012, at 1900 Hawaiian standard time, a Cessna 172S, N3554Y, impacted the Pacific Ocean approximately 5 miles from Kahului Airport (OGG), Kahului, Maui, Hawaii. The aircraft was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight from OGG to Molokai Airport (MKK), Kaunakakai, Molokai, Hawaii. The pilot, the sole occupant, is presumed to have received fatal injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed about 6 minutes prior to the accident. Shortly before the impact, an Air Traffic Control (ATC) specialist noted an erratic flight pattern and contacted the pilot. The pilot declined assistance and stated he planned to make a right 360-degree turn and track inbound to the MKK VOR. However, the radar track showed a left descending turn before the target was lost. The last known altitude was 700 feet. The Coast Guard responded to the last known position and commenced search and rescue (SAR) efforts. They recovered a portion of one landing gear and some interior airplane pieces, but the main wreckage was not located. SAR efforts were suspended on December 3, 2012. On December 8, 2012, the right wheel and tire washed up on Kailua Beach Park. ## Personnel and Aircraft Information The pilot, age 51, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and a third-class medical issued on January 26, 2012, with no limitations. No personal flight records were located. According to his most recent medical application, the pilot reported a total time of 785 hours with 50 hours logged in the past 6 months. The aircraft, N3554Y, was a four-seat, high-wing, fixed-gear Cessna C172S, serial number 172S8956, manufactured in 2001. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-360-L2A 160-horsepower engine. No aircraft logbooks were located for the accident airplane. ## Meteorological and Communications Information Weather conditions reported by OGG in the accident area included wind from 250 degrees at 7 knots, visibility of 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet above ground level, a temperature of 24 degrees, a dew point of 19 degrees, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of mercury. Calculations by the RAwindsonde Observation Program (RAOB) did not identify significant turbulence or icing, with the freezing level at 14,725 feet. There was a potential for broken to few cloud layers below 3,000 feet. No AIRMETs or SIGMETs were issued for the Hawaiian Islands, and no pilot reports were made below 10,000 feet in the vicinity within 3 hours of the accident time. Sunset was at 1744, and the end of civil twilight was at 1808. Review of ATC radar and communication tapes revealed the pilot was attempting to fly from Maui to Molokai. The tower controller at OGC observed a normal climb out after the pilot requested a visual flight rules (VFR) clearance and increased runway light intensity. The controller later observed the airplane at 1,500 feet entering a descent and lost sight of it in the darkness. Radar showed the airplane at 500 feet in a right turn before entering a coast status, then reappearing at 700 feet proceeding westbound before being lost again. The Honolulu Control Facility (HCF) reported losing radio and radar contact with the pilot. The HCF controller noted the airplane had turned northeast bound, away from its intended destination. The pilot requested radar vectors, declined an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) clearance, and stated his destination was Molokai Airport. He requested verification of the Molokai VORTAC frequency, which the controller corrected to 116.1. The pilot reported he would do a right 360-degree turn but did not respond to a request to verify his intentions. Radar contact was lost at 1900. The controller reported the pilot sounded clear and calm with no apparent stress. The last radar echo showed the airplane in a left turn at 700 feet above the water. The airplane dropped off radar about 2.5 miles north of Pa'ia, Maui, and about 7 nautical miles northwest of OGG. ## Medical and Pathological Information The airplane and the pilot were not located, so an autopsy and toxicology could not be performed. During the pilot's last medical exam on January 26, 2012, he reported high blood pressure and kidney stones. A review of his medical history indicated the high blood pressure was controlled with medication and the history of kidney stones was a resolved issue that should not pose a hazard to flight safety.