What happened
At 11:10, an aircraft departed from Merrill Field carrying 220 gallons of fuel. While operating at an altitude of approximately 6,500 feet and located roughly 10 miles offshore, both engines ceased functioning. The crew attempted to restart the powerplants but were unsuccessful.
Due to the loss of propulsion, the pilot performed a ditching maneuver into sea conditions characterized by waves ranging from 12 to 15 feet and surface winds of 40 knots. During the impact with the water, the right float was detached from the aircraft and both engine mounts suffered structural failure. The aircraft subsequently sank at 17:45 and remains unrecovered.
Records indicate that the aircraft had undergone its annual inspection only four days before the incident. Additionally, investigations into the fueling infrastructure confirmed that the fuel supply was free of contaminants or water.
Findings
- The specific reason for the simultaneous loss of engine power remains undetermined.
- The rough sea conditions and high winds contributed to the structural damage sustained during the ditching process.