What happened
On July 8, 20 and 01, a Pilatus PC-12/45, registration N660NR, was involved in an emergency ditching in the Sea of Okhotsk. The aircraft, operated by Jeflyn Aviation, Inc. (doing business as Access Air), was performing a business flight from Hakodate, Japan, to Magadan, Russia. The flight was being conducted under IFR flight plan in instrument meteorological conditions.
While cruising at an altitude of 8,100 meters, the pilot experienced a vibration accompanied by a sudden rise in the engine's Turbine Temperature Indication (TTI). The TTI reached 1144 degrees, resulting in a compressor stall. In response to the engine failure, the pilot shut down the engine, feathered the propeller, and began an emergency descent.
During the descent, the pilot transmitted a mayday signal, updated the transponder to code 7700, and activated the emergency locator beacon. As the aircraft descended through various cloud layers, the crew and passengers prepared for impact. Upon reaching 100 feet above the ocean surface, the pilot encountered waves between 8 and 12 feet in height. The aircraft was ditched on the crest of a swell and remained upright and floating.
All four occupants—the pilot and three Japanese passengers—successfully evacuated the aircraft via the main cabin door into a life raft. There were zero fatalities and the pilot sustained only minor injuries. After approximately 15 hours adrift, the group was rescued by a Russian container ship and transported to Sakhalin Island.
Findings
- The engine failure was characterized by a rapid increase in turbine temperature and a subsequent compressor stall.