On April 26, 1977, a Cessna 340 (registration N7839Q) operated by Allstates Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Kauna Point, United States of America in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Double engine failure in flight due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was a fuel leak in the left tip tank from unknown origin. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A ferry flight from Pago Pago to Honolulu experienced dual engine failure while approaching Hawaii Island. The pilot was seriously injured after ditching the aircraft 28 nautical miles southwest of Kauna Point. Fuel exhaustion caused the failure, with a fuel leak in the left tip tank as a contributing factor.
Incident Overview
A ferry flight en route from Pago Pago to Honolulu encountered dual engine failure while approaching Hawaii Island. The pilot, who was seriously injured in the subsequent crash, attempted to ditch the aircraft. The aircraft came down approximately 28 nautical miles southwest of Kauna Point and was lost.
Sequence of Events
As the aircraft neared Hawaii Island, both engines failed. The pilot responded by reducing altitude and maneuvering to ditch the aircraft in the ocean. The ditching resulted in serious injuries to the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was dual engine failure in flight due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was a fuel leak in the left tip tank of unknown origin.