No fatalities

Delivery Flight Ditches Off Hawaii After Dual Engine Failure (N65134)

Pacific Ocean, WorldFlight

On March 8, 1969, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration N65134) operated by Zamrud Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Pacific Ocean, World in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of both engines due to the lubricating system malfunction. Loss of oil pressure for undetermined reason. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A delivery flight from California to Indonesia via Hawaii ditched about 370 km off Hilo after both engines failed due to a lubricating system malfunction. All three occupants were rescued; the aircraft sank and was lost.

Incident Overview

A delivery flight bound from California to Indonesia, with a planned refueling stop in Hawaii, experienced a dual engine failure while cruising approximately 370 kilometers off the coast of Hilo. The aircraft, being delivered to its new operator Zamrud Aviation, had departed California earlier.

Events Leading to Ditching

While en route, the crew contacted air traffic control to report engine problems. Shortly thereafter, they made the decision to ditch the aircraft in the ocean. The crew executed a controlled ditching, and all three occupants were quickly rescued by awaiting emergency services. The aircraft subsequently sank and was lost.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be failure of both engines due to a malfunction of the lubricating system. The loss of oil pressure occurred for an undetermined reason.