# NTSB WPR16LA140: Piper PA 23-150, N3180P, Kona, HI, July 15, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 2016, 15:15 local (Jul 15, 2016, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Kona, HI - Coordinates: 19.738889, -156.045562 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.7389&lon=-156.0456&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR16LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93608/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93608 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA140 ## Probable cause The total loss of power in both engines during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered from the ocean. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-23-150, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102303), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-23-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=7102303), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-23-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102303), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Piper PA-23-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=7102303), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was conducting a personal, cross-country, overwater flight in the multiengine airplane with another commercial pilot on board, who was the nonflying pilot. The pilots reported that, at departure, both of the fuel gauges indicated 3/4 tank. While in cruise flight at 5,500 ft, both engines began running roughly; however, after descending the airplane to 3,500 ft, both engines seemed to smooth out. Shortly thereafter, the right engine surged and lost power, followed by the left engine surging and losing power. The pilots reported that they turned on both auxiliary fuel pumps and followed the emergency checklist but that power was not restored to either engine. They added that, at the time of the power loss, the fuel gauges indicated 1/2 tank. The pilot subsequently ditched the airplane in the ocean, and both pilots successfully evacuated the airplane. The airplane was unable to be recovered, which prevented any examination; therefore, the cause of the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2016, about 1515 Hawaii standard time, a Piper PA-23-150, N3180P, registered to Time Machine LLC., and operated by the pilot, ditched in the Pacific Ocean near Kona, Hawaii, after a loss of power in both engines. Both pilots sustained minor injuries. The airplane sank, and was not recovered. The cross country personal flight departed John Rodgers Airport (JRF), Kapolei, Hawaii, en route to Kona International Airport (KOA), Kona, Hawaii, about 1345. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight, which was being operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a flight plan had not been filed. The pilots reported that on departure both fuel gauges indicated 3/4 full. While in cruise flight at 5,500 feet, both engines began to run rough. The pilots descended to 3,500 feet, and the engines seemed to smooth out a bit. Shortly thereafter, the right engine surged before losing all power followed by a surge in the left engine and a total loss of power. The pilots reported that they turned on both auxiliary fuel pumps, and followed the emergency checklist, both of which failed to restore power to either engine. At the time of the power loss, the fuel gauges indicated 1/2 tank according to the pilots. They opened the entry door prior to water contact, and successfully evacuated the airplane after touchdown. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the last airframe annual inspection was conducted on October 10, 2015. On April 20, 2016, engine oil servicing, spark plug reconditioning, leak check, and magneto checks were performed on both engines with no anomalies noted by maintenance personnel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3180P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3180P-2019-10-04), registration cancelled 2019-10-04, S/N 23-1117, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 23-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-23-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-150) (registry code 7102303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 23-1117 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 7523.2 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING O-320-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 2015 - Departed: JRF, Kalaeloa, HI - Destination: Kona, HI - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 16, 2016; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 517 total, 0 in this make and model, 353 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 23; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review June 29, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,130.6 total, 7.5 in this make and model, 221.3 as pilot in command, 162.5 in the last 90 days, 84.5 in the last 30 days, 4.9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: PHKO, 25 nm away ## 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 20160714011979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160714011979A), Jul 14, 2016: Piper PA-23-150, Kailua Kona, HI, Destroyed. N3180P, PA23, VFR from jrf to koa reported to the R5 controller that they were having engine problems. At 0115Z N3180P declared an emergency due to lossing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93608. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 780 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443948&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Maintenance Record Excerpt (item 2, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443949&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Record%20Excerpt-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.