18APR2006 at 0908LT

Department of Justice of
the United States Virgin Islands

N554DJ

Off Charlotte Amalie

Christiansted - Charlotte Amalie

Construction number

31-7612009

Year of manufacture

1976

Crew on board

1

Pax on board

6

Crew fatalities

0

Pax fatalities

0

Other fatalities

0

0

During its descent to the airport, at about an indicated altitude of 1,400 feet agl, the left engine started to surge. The pilot immediately turned on the electrical fuel boost pumps and ensured that all of the engines control levers were forward. He reduced the descent rate of the airplane from about 600 feet per minute to 300 feet per minute. About 30 seconds from the time the left engine started surging, the right engine started to surge. He communicated with the controller in the airport tower of the situation. He instructed the passengers to take necessary action for a ditching. Hew switched positions on the fuel tank selector to the other fuel tank position respectively for each engine. The problem did not correct itself. This process was done several times in an attempt to correct the surging. Once he noted the altimeter was indicating 400 feet agl, he focused on the airspeed as not to stall and flew the airplane into the water with both engines surging. The airplane stayed a float as he and the passengers exited the airplane before it sank. All occupants were slighlty injured.