Crash of a Beechcraft C45 off Honolulu: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1973 at 0708 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Alii Air Hawaii
Registration:
N234JC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Honolulu - Lihue - Honolulu
MSN:
AF-317
YOM:
1953
Location:
Honolulu
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
2049
Captain / Total hours on type:
574.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Honolulu Airport, while climbing, both engines failed. The airplane lost height and crashed into the sea few dozen yards offshore. Four passengers were rescued while five other occupants, among them the pilot, were killed. The aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure during initial climb following a mismanagement of fuel on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Failed to use the pre-departure checklist,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Seats improperly installed,
- Takeoff with rear auxiliary tanks that were not serviced,
- Fuel selector valve configuration different than other aircraft flown,
- All cabin seats separated.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor off Molokai: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 22, 1972 at 0705 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Alii Air Hawaii
Registration:
N5642V
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Honolulu - Lanai
MSN:
AF-721
YOM:
1954
Location:
Molokai
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
7323
Captain / Total hours on type:
764.00
Circumstances:
En route from Honolulu to Lanai, while cruising along the coast, the twin engine airplane went through a stormy area when control was lost. It crashed into the sea offshore and was destroyed. All eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot continued under VFR mode into adverse weather conditions. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, rain and thunderstorm activity,
- The pilot flew into known thunderstorm activity.
Final Report:
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