# NTSB LAX94LA012: Piper PA-31, N7079J, Hilo, HI, October 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1993, 14:14 local (Oct 14, 1993, 00:14 UTC)
- Place: Hilo, HI
- Coordinates: 19.690582, -155.07994 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.6906&lon=-155.0799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28568
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28568/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA012

## Probable cause

the failure of the right engine's magnetos for undetermined reasons and the resulting overtemperature of the remaining left engine.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - 1 engine
  - ignition system,magneto - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, landing
  - all engines
  - powerplant - overtemperature (cause)
  - terrain condition - water
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, descent - emergency

## Analysis

DURING AN OCEANIC FERRY FLIGHT, THE RIGHT ENGINE DEVELOPED MAGNETO PROBLEMS WHICH RESULTED IN ONLY RESIDUAL POWER BEING AVAILABLE.  THE PIC INCREASED THE POWER ON THE REMAINING LEFT ENGINE, BUT IT SOON OVERHEATED.  THE PIC ELECTED TO DITCH THE AIRPLANE INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN.  BOTH CREWMEMBERS WERE SUCCESSFULLY RESCUED.

## Factual narrative

On October 13, 1993, at 1414 hours Hawaii standard time (HST), a Piper PA-31, N7079J, experienced a loss of power on both engines and ditched into the Pacific Ocean about 600 nautical miles south of Hilo, Hawaii.  The pilots were conducting an instrument flight rules ferry flight to Santa Monica, California, with a planned scheduled fuel stop at Hilo, Hawaii.  The airplane, owned by Kruger Aviation Inc., Santa Monica, California, and operated by Flight Contract Services, Yelm, Washington, was destroyed when it sunk into the ocean.  Both certificated airline transport pilots received minor injuries.  The flight originated at Tahiti and landed at Christmas Island on October 12, 1993; the flight departed Christmas Island on October 13, 1993, at 1036 hours.

The pilot-in-command (PIC) reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that about 3.5 hours (1406 hours) after departing Christmas Island the right engine "started to fluctuate and developed only residual power."  The PIC determined the engine problem was caused by the magnetos.

The PIC increased the power to the left engine; however, it soon overheated.  The PIC elected to ditch the airplane.

The second pilot confirmed the PIC's statement in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that he submitted.

The accident coordinates are:  09 degrees, 36.18 minutes north latitude and 156 degrees, 23.82 minutes west longitude.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7079J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7079J-1996-08-23), registration cancelled 1996-08-23, S/N 31-663 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-663
- Airframe hours: 4356
- Engines: Lycoming TSIO-540-A2B 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Contract Services
- Registered owner: Kruger Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 25, 1993, 8 hours before
- Departed: PLCH, CHRISTMAS IS, HI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19931013038719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931013038719A), Oct 13, 1993: Piper PA31310, Hilo, HI, Destroyed. Reported right engine surge and lost power. Engine overheated. Elected to ditch in ocean. Beleives bad magneto.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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