The airplane was presumed substantially damaged during a ditching in the Atlantic Ocean at 1515 Eastern time, near Key West, Fla. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. After descending to traffic pattern altitude, the pilot leveled off and advanced the throttle to increase the power; however, the engine did not respond. The propeller continued to turn momentarily and then stopped completely. The pilot completed the emergency checklist but could not restart the engine. The pilot performed a forced landing to the water, opened the canopy and inflated the life raft he had in the airplane. He entered the life raft and watched the airplane float for approximately five minutes before sinking. The pilot reported that he purchased the airplane new in April 2006, and last flew it approximately two to three weeks prior to the accident. According to fuel records, the airplane was last refueled on February 6, 2008, with 13.8 gallons of fuel.
March 1, 2008, Key West, Fla., Diamond Aircraft Industries DA20
The airplane was presumed substantially damaged during a ditching in the Atlantic Ocean at 1515 Eastern time, near Key West, Fla. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. After descending to traffic pattern altitude, the pilot leveled off and advanced the throttle to increase the power; however, the engine did not respond. The propeller continued to turn momentarily and then stopped completely. The pilot completed the emergency checklist but could not restart the engine. The pilot performed a forced landing to the water, opened the canopy and inflated the life raft he had in the airplane. He entered the life raft and watched the airplane float for approximately five minutes before sinking.
Key Takeaways:
- A solo private pilot safely ditched an airplane in the Atlantic Ocean near Key West after experiencing complete engine failure, escaping uninjured in a life raft before the aircraft sank.
- The engine failed to respond to throttle input and the propeller stopped after the pilot leveled off at traffic pattern altitude, despite attempts to restart using emergency procedures.
- The pilot, who purchased the plane new in April 2006, had last flown it two to three weeks prior to the accident.
- Fuel records indicate the aircraft was last refueled on February 6, 2008, with 13.8 gallons, potentially raising questions about fuel condition or quantity.
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