Summary
An aircraft traveling from Los Angeles to New Zealand via Hilo and Papeete, Tahiti, encountered technical issues with its left engine while cruising at 1,500 meters. The crew diverted toward Christmas Island but later ditched the aircraft approximately 150 kilometers north of the island. The aircraft sank four hours after ditching, and all eight occupants were rescued eight hours later by the crew of a merchant ship.
Incident Details
The flight was a transfer from Los Angeles to New Zealand, with scheduled stops in Hilo and Papeete. While cruising at an altitude of 1,500 meters, the crew noted technical problems with the left engine. They decided to divert to Christmas Island as a precaution. However, the left engine subsequently failed. The aircraft was heavy due to the fuel load required for crossing the Pacific Ocean, and the crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude. Consequently, they made the decision to ditch the aircraft in the ocean.
Rescue
The ditching occurred about 150 kilometers north of Christmas Island. After the aircraft came to rest on the water, it remained afloat for approximately four hours before sinking. All eight occupants survived the ditching and were rescued eight hours later by the crew of a merchant ship that responded to the situation.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the probable cause was a failure of the left engine for unknown reasons.