What happened
During the initial leg of the flight, the aircraft experienced several ground delays due to radio malfunctions and cargo loading issues. During these periods, the engines were started and stopped multiple times. The airline failed to update the weight and balance or dispatch release documentation to account for the extra fuel burned during these ground operations. Following the first leg, the aircraft was refueled with 300 gallons of fuel. On the return flight, the crew performed a pre-flight inspection where the first officer noted approximately 1,100 pounds of fuel in each tank, a figure the captain also accepted based on visual checks of the fuel quantity sticks. However, upon engine start, the fuel gauges indicated an additional 200 pounds of fuel compared to the manual stick readings.
While climbing to 2,100 feet msl during a right turn, the right engine lost all horsepower. The crew secured the right engine and requested priority handling. Shortly after, the left engine's power fluctuated before also dropping to zero. The crew attempted to maneuver the aircraft before ultimately ditching in the water. Both the pilot and the first officer evacuated the aircraft and reached the shore safely.
Findings
Post-accident investigations revealed a significant discrepancy in fuel levels. While the left tank contained 2 gallons of Jet A, the right tank contained approximately 540 gallons of salt water and only 0.5 gallons of Jet A. The right fuel tank exhibited a slight leak past the fuel cap, which allowed seawater to enter the tank. Inspections of the engines, ignition systems, and fuel control units showed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction prior to the impact. Calculations determined that at the time of engine start, the actual fuel on board was only approximately 714 pounds.