HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board revealed the cause of a fatal plane crash near Half Moon Bay last May in a report released on Friday. The report details the tragic incident which resulted in the deaths of the pilot and one passenger aboard the Viking Air DHC-6-400 aircraft, as they attempted to make a trans-Pacific flight to Honolulu, Hawaii.
The investigation showed that the plane took off from Charles M Schulz-Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa on the morning of May 20. The airplane was equipped with a ferry tank system and additional fuel for the long journey, but the pilot encountered difficulties with the extra fuel over the Pacific Ocean and attempted to turn back to California.
The crash’s impact into the ocean caused significant damages to the plane and the wings were ripped off. A U.S. Coast Guard crew discovered the partially submerged wreckage in the ocean and confirmed the tragic news that the pilot and passenger had died. The NTSB report also revealed that the fuselage was inverted, with the wings and engines separated from the airplane, and the forward fuselage had impact damage.
The report did not disclose the identities of the two victims who lost their lives in the crash, and their bodies were never recovered from the ocean. The investigation highlighted the challenges and risks associated with long-distance flights over remote areas, as well as the importance of regular safety checks and maintenance for small private aircraft. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers faced by pilots and passengers in aviation.