What happened
During the final leg of a three-flight itinerary, an aircraft departed from Hilo. Shortly after beginning its ascent, the pilot contacted the tower to request a return to the airport, reporting that the aircraft was experiencing difficulties. Following this communication, all radio contact with the crew ceased.
Observers on the ground reported hearing the sound of the engine sputtering intermittently, followed by the noise of a high-speed descent. The aircraft type impacted a sugarcane field at a steep angle. The accident resulted in two fatalities, as both pilots were killed in the crash.
Findings
Investigations into the incident identified several contributing factors regarding the aircraft's performance and the flight conditions:
- The aircraft experienced a loss of engine power during the transition from climb to cruise phase.
- A loss of control occurred while the pilot was attempting to maneuver the plane into a reverse direction.
- The accident took place during dark night conditions.
- There were indications that proper aircraft handling was not maintained by the pilot in command during the flight.