20010518010919A

(-23)Pilot reported losing power in both engines 27 n.m. nw of hilo, HI., with surging just prior to failure. Pilot and passengers reported pilot attempted to switch fuel tanks, turn on fuel boost pump, and the front engine ran for a few seconds. A passenger pointed out a landing area, but pilot elected to land on the water, due to concerns about terrain. Pilot attempted to swich to auxillery fuel, stating that he felt a couple of gallons were available in each auxillery tank. Repeated fuel sample checks of aux tanks would eventually deplete aux fuel reserves as aux tanks were not refueled. Refueling records indicate that aircraft (mains) were refueled with proper amount for the flight. Aircraft remains in approximately 150 ft. of water. (.19) on may 18, 2001, at 0816 hours hawaiian standard time, a Cessna 337C, N2479S, experienced a loss of engine power and ditched in the ocean off the coast of Laupahoehoe, Hawaii. The airplane was operated by mokulele flight service, inc., under the provisions of 14 CFR part 135 as an on-demand air taxi flight. The commercial pilot and five passengers were not injured. T he airplane sank in deep water and is presumed to be substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the sightseeing, local area flight, and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. According to hilo air traffic control (ATC) personnel, radar services were terminated with the accident airplane about 0806 after the airplane had transitioned through the hilo terminal area. The pilot was instructed to squawk VFR and a frequency change was approved. The pilot switched to a UNICOM frequency, and at 0814, a company airplane reported to hilo ATC that he had heard a mayday call on the UNICOM frequency and that the airplane had crashed into the water abeam Laupahoehoe. Federal aviation administration (FAA) inspectors interviewed the pilot and passengers. The pilot and passengers reported that both engines quit at the same time. The pilot reported that the engines surged for several seconds and he advanced the throttles, mixtures, and propellers. He placed the boost pumps on high and switched to the auxiliary tanks. The pilot reported that the front engine ran for several seconds and then quit. He made a mayday call on UNICOM and landed straigh t ahead. The pilot stated that the passengers were wearing their life preservers during the flight. After landing he cracked open the doors. The pilot exited through the front windshield, which had broken on landing. He swam around to the right side to make sure that all the passengers were able to make it out. The left rear passenger struggled with her seat belt, but was able to make it out of the airplane unassisted. The FAA inspectors also interviewed the owner, refueler, and director of maintenance of the company. The airplane was refueled the night before with 44 gallons of fuel. The refueler visually checked that the fuel was just below the top, about 1 inch, which should be 75 gallons. The pilot stated that he only checked the fuel gages and did not visually verify the fuel quantity. The pilot further indicated that he believed there were several gallons of fuel in the auxiliary tanks. When the engines quit, he switched to the auxiliary tanks. A tour helicopter circled the area and dropped life preservers. The county rescue services helicopter had everyone out of the water and to the nearest hospital 15 minutes after the accident.