Incident Overview
A seaplane conducting a test flight on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) encountered engine problems while flying off Christiansted and was forced to ditch the aircraft a few miles offshore.
Rescue and Damage
All three occupants of the seaplane were rescued. The aircraft, however, sustained damage beyond repair.
Official Findings
The probable cause of the ditching was a double engine failure that occurred after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. Contributing factors reported include improper in-flight decisions, attempted operation beyond the pilot's experience and ability level, and failure of both engines. Additionally, the aircraft came to rest in water. Notably, a 25 RPM flux had been reported on the left engine during the previous three days of flight, and a 200 RPM fluctuation was noted during climbout and continued flight.