On April 27, 1976, a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter (registration N35310) operated by Horizon Air Service was involved in an aviation accident near Upolu, United States of America in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by an engine failure of unknown origin. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
An aircraft flying from Kamuela to Honolulu was forced to ditch in the ocean near Hawaii Island following a loss of engine power.
What happened
During a flight traveling from Kamuela toward Honolulu, an engine failure occurred while the aircraft was en route. In response to the loss of power, the pilot initiated a descent to a lower altitude. The crew subsequently performed a ditching maneuver off the north coast of Hawaii Island, specifically near Upolu.
Following the impact with the water, both individuals on board were successfully rescued from the scene. However, the aircraft sank into the ocean and has not been retrieved by recovery teams.
Findings
Investigations into the incident concluded that the primary factor was a powerplant failure, though the specific underlying reason for the engine's malfunction remains undetermined.
Probable cause
The accident was caused by an engine failure of unknown origin.