What happened
During the departure phase from Honolulu Airport, an aircraft experienced a simultaneous loss of power in both engines while ascending. This loss of propulsion caused the plane to descend rapidly, ultimately impacting the water just a short distance from the shoreline. The impact resulted in the total loss of the aircraft as it sank beneath the surface.
Emergency response efforts led to the rescue of four passengers. However, the accident claimed the lives of five individuals, which included the pilot.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the primary cause was a double engine failure triggered by improper fuel management during the climb. Several contributing factors were documented regarding the operational state of the aircraft and the crew's procedures:
- The engines suffered from fuel starvation.
- The flight crew failed to sustain the necessary airspeed.
- There were deficiencies in preflight preparations and a failure to utilize the required pre-departure checklists.
- The aircraft was not loaded correctly for the flight.
- Safety equipment issues included improperly installed seats and the separation of all cabin seating.
- The takeoff was conducted with rear auxiliary tanks that had not been serviced.
- Discrepancies were noted in the fuel selector valve configuration compared to other similar aircraft.