Accident Overview
On an evening training flight, aircraft registered 124893 (VP-774) departed Los Alamitos AAF at 1548 local time with nine crew members on board. While cruising over the Pacific Ocean, the right engine failed. The pilot-in-command increased power on the left engine but could not maintain the assigned altitude. The captain decided to ditch the aircraft, which crashed into the sea off Dana Point.
Rescue Operations
Following the ditching, five crew members were rescued. Four others were killed. No further details about the rescue were provided.
Investigation
The official investigation into the accident sought to determine the cause of the right engine failure. The exact cause could not be determined with certainty. However, investigators confirmed that the failure was not caused by icing conditions.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause states: "The exact cause of the right engine failure could not be determined with certainty. However, it was confirmed it was not caused by icing conditions."