What happened
During a cruise flight at a mean altitude of 9,000 feet, the pilot observed rising temperatures and a partial reduction in RPM within the right engine. Following this discovery, air traffic control granted permission to descend and divert to an alternative airfield. The aircraft was leveled at 2,500 feet, at which point the right engine continued to exhibit a loss of RPM, creating significant difficulty in maintaining flight altitude.
In an attempt to manage the situation, the pilot decreased power to both engines, activated the fuel boost pump, and opened the cowl flaps. Despite these actions, the right engine continued to operate at a low RPM. The pilot ultimately decided to perform an ocean ditching rather than attempting a landing at the nearest suitable airport, as would have been the procedure outlined in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. The aircraft was not recovered following the incident.
Findings
Investigations into the event revealed that the pilot chose to ditch the aircraft due to poor single-engine performance and unfavorable wind conditions. It was also noted that the pilot shut down the right engine prior to completing the troubleshooting steps specified in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. At the time of the accident, the wind at the intended destination was recorded at 060 degrees with a speed of 6 knots, with runway 8 in active use.