A Tauranga-based aircraft experienced a catastrophic failure during a ferry flight to Hamilton, resulting in a forced landing into a tidal estuary. The initial engine failure triggered a rapid return to Tauranga, followed by the subsequent failure of the remaining engine. The pilot initiated a return to Tauranga, but the remaining engine failed, leading to a stuck aircraft in mud and requiring an overnight rescue by a helicopter. The incident highlights a critical failure in the aircraft’s electrical system, which had previously been undetected, and resulted in significant damage to the landing gear.A Tauranga-based aircraft experienced a catastrophic failure during a ferry flight to Hamilton, resulting in a forced landing into a tidal estuary. The initial engine failure triggered a rapid return to Tauranga, followed by the subsequent failure of the remaining engine. The pilot initiated a return to Tauranga, but the remaining engine failed, leading to a stuck aircraft in mud and requiring an overnight rescue by a helicopter. The incident highlights a critical failure in the aircraft’s electrical system, which had previously been undetected, and resulted in significant damage to the landing gear.