Flight History
The pilot conducted an uneventful flight from Gainesville to Sebring, Florida, where three passengers deplaned. He then departed on a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight to Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. Approximately 30 miles east of the Florida coast, the rear engine began to malfunction. The pilot turned back toward the coast, but the front engine also malfunctioned, prompting him to elect to ditch the aircraft near a boat.
Ditching and Injuries
During the ditching, the pilot received serious back injuries. The aircraft sank in ocean waters and was not recovered.
Fuel Contamination Concerns
The pilot stated that he had drained about one quart of water from the fuel system prior to departing Gainesville. He attributed the engine malfunctions to fuel contamination. However, this could not be verified because the aircraft was not recovered.