Overview
On a night flight from Oakland, California to Honolulu, Hawaii, an aircraft departed at 1733 Pacific Standard Time. The flight proceeded without incident until approximately 0050 PST, when the pilot reported that the left engine was slowly losing oil pressure. At that time, the aircraft was at an altitude of 6,000 feet.
Emergency Descent and Loss of Contact
At 0205 PST, the pilot stated that he had shut down the left engine and was unable to maintain 6,000 feet. A descent began. In his final transmission at 0228 PST, the pilot indicated he was at 500 feet and barely able to maintain altitude. Radio contact was lost when the aircraft was approximately 500 miles east of Honolulu.
Search and Recovery Efforts
At 1559 PST, the crew of a search aircraft sighted floating debris and one body floating in the vicinity. A marker buoy was deployed, but recovery of the aircraft or occupants was not accomplished. The aircraft was presumed to have been destroyed and both occupants presumed to have been fatally injured. The aircraft crashed in moderate sea conditions with wave heights estimated at three to five feet.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation identified three occurrences: first, loss of engine power during cruise, with an undetermined reason; findings noted low oil pressure and intentional propeller feathering by the pilot. The second occurrence was a ditching. The third was an in-flight collision with terrain (water) during the landing flare. Environmental factors included night light conditions and rough water conditions.