Piper PA 23-150 accident near Kona, Hawaii, July 15, 2016
On July 15, 2016 at about 1:15 am local time, a 1957 Piper PA 23-150, registered N3180P, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Kona, Hawaii. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 15, 2016 · about 1:15 am local time
- Place
- Kona, Hawaii · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 23-150, built 1957 · all PA 23-150s on the register
- Registration
- N3180P · no longer on the register · serial 23-1117
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Ditching during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Water › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 517 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 120 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 353 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 16, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,130.6 hours in all; 7.5 in this make and model; 162.5 in the last 90 days; 84.5 in the last 30 days; 221.3 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 29, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,523.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 10, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 3,501 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming O-320-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming O-320-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JRF Kalaeloa HI at 11:45 pm
- Destination: Kona HI
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on August 30, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Maintenance Record Excerpt | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.