On June 12, 1974, a Beechcraft E18 (registration N39A) operated by Pleasant Financing Company was involved in an aviation accident near Kahului, United States of America in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Double engine failure in flight following a fuel exhaustion. The following factors were reported: - Inadequate preflight preparation, - Improper in-flight decisions, - Mismanagement of fuel, - Miscalculated fuel consumption, - Fuel exhaustion, - Pilot became… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
During a ferry flight from Honolulu to Van Nuys, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot ditched the aircraft 22 miles offshore and was rescued; the aircraft sank.
Incident
A pilot, who was the sole occupant, was performing a ferry flight from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Van Nuys, California. While cruising along the coast of Maui Island, both engines failed simultaneously. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the pilot ditched the aircraft approximately 22 miles offshore. The pilot was rescued, while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a double engine failure in flight following a fuel exhaustion.
Reported Factors
The following factors were reported in the investigation: