PC12 NG Down off California
 

I heard a rumor that a new PC12 went in 1100nm off the Californian coast en-route to Hilo yesterday. Apparently 2 POB. Both rescued after a night in the raft. Anyone know what actually happened?

Groggy

Not a rumour, it happened.

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/244731

Supposedly some of the rescue video-

Now for the rumour part; issue with the fuel
supply from the ferry tank.

It was headed to Australia? Any idea who owned it?

Great video, anyone know from which USCG a/c type this was shot?

Well done all - PC12 crew for executing a survivable ditching; USCG for their typical calm professionalism; and merchant vessel crew for their tenacity in preserving life! :ok:

It looks like it tried to depart a few days earlier but returned.

"Going Nowhere". How apt! :{

Well it went somewhere... 🤷‍♂️

Dion Weisler's aircraft.

Unbelievable dedication & communication by both rescue parties,these guys need to be acknowledged & their efforts highlighted right across the globe.

Yes, the teamwork and indeed brotherhood between aviators and mariners is fantastic to see. Many aviators owe their lives to mariners, many mariners owe their lives to aviators. This is a heart-warming illustration of how, thanks to preparation & coolheadedness on the part of the PC-12 pilots, and the professionalism and dedication of the rescuers, an otherwise dire circumstance (ditching 1000nm from dry land) has a happy outcome.

I saw on another forum that over-flying airliners played a significant role in this great effort.

As for the loss of a $5m aeroplane - that's what insurance is for! Pilatus can build another PC-12 - they can't build another husband/father/brother/son/...

The problem arises when an aviator turns into an unwilling mariner as in this case!

There is no guarantee insurance will payout if the fuel system was sus. I suspect the provider of the fuel system will be sued.

Brand new aircraft...
​​​​​​Any idea how deep the ocean is around there (not sure where to check)? It might be difficult to get to the wreckage (if at all possible).
As others have pointed out good job by all involved!

There must be a preliminary accident report made by now, maybe FAA ?

Why are sketchy ferry operators first on my mind?
There’s probably more to this story.

• Who installed the tank and was this person qualified to do so?
• Was a test flight performed to test the system.
• Did they continue till it was out of fuel or did they discover the problem early and diligently worked to communicate and do a controlled ditching close to shipping routes?

Surviving a pilot induced accident is not good “airmanship”.
Thats why I’d be interested in the whole story which we’ll probably never hear.
I’m thinking that the Honolulu FSDO has jurisdiction.
As far as insurance, as underwriter I’d be interested in the above also.

Pilatus website shows 1800NM range with 4 pax and IFR reserves.
We’ll call that even with 2 crew and gear.
Thats at FL300 though.
https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/en/fly/pc-12
This time of year the winds are truly HOWLING at altitude, jetstream from West to East.
At FL300 you’d probably have a ground speed of 100kts if you pick the wrong day.
Distance to fly was give or take 2500NM.
Thats 4 hrs extra fuel required.
Did they have a Point of no Return calculated?
As in the ferry tank needs to work by this point or we’re going back?
You should start transfer as soon as there’s room in the Main tanks.
Keep them full so you keep your 1800 airmiles range.

Looking at Flightaware the same A/C performed a flight to Hilo on the 1/11/20, and again on the 2/11/20, but diverted from Santa Maria to Hilo ?
As B2N2 says, there is more to this one.

If it was brand new as mentioned above, why is it in USA?

Are USA assembling new PC12's?

Pilatus completions centre USA
 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...sXKFMDFusrJYUt

Any further info on the ditching?

Bit of a thread drift but are the actually flying the "bare" aircraft in for completion ? That's about 1 ferry flight / week assuming the 55 production number they are aiming at...

Also is it really much more economical to ferry the (completed) aircraft from US to Australia vs from Europe ?