What happened
While cruising at 1,000 feet MSL, the pilot of a twin-engine airplane experienced a loss of power in the right engine. Simultaneously, passengers observed flames emerging from the right engine cowling. In response to the emergency, the pilot feathered the propeller and secured the right engine. Although an attempt was made to reach a nearby airport, the aircraft could not maintain sufficient altitude, forcing the pilot to execute a ditching in the Pacific Ocean.
Before the impact, the pilot directed passengers to put on life jackets and prepare for a forced landing. Following the ditching, nearly everyone escaped through the main cabin and pilot doors. One passenger failed to exit the aircraft; this individual remained in their seat with a life vest inflated but was unable to swim. All occupants, including the one fatality (the passenger who could not exit), were eventually recovered from the water by a rescue helicopter and boat.
Findings
An investigation into the wreckage determined that the engine fire was caused by the deterioration of an oil converter plate gasket in the right engine. This failure allowed oil to spray into the accessory section. While a mandatory service bulletin had been issued a month prior to require inspections of this gasket every 50 hours, maintenance records showed the most recent inspection occurred only 18.3 hours before the incident.
It was discovered that the engine manufacturer had recently switched gasket suppliers, leading to the distribution of components that did not meet required specifications. Testing indicated that gaskets subjected to high temperatures could show signs of deterioration similar to the failed part after approximately 290 hours. Following the accident, the manufacturer updated its service bulletin, and the FAA issued an airworthiness directive requiring the replacement of the gasket every 50 hours.