What happened
During a night visual flight rules (VFR) operation bound for Opa Locka, Florida, the pilot encountered an unexpected loss of engine power while airborne. With no immediate options to reach a nearby airport, the pilot was forced to execute an emergency landing in the Everglades swamp region. The aircraft came to rest upside down, submerged in approximately three feet of water.
The investigation
Recovery teams retrieved the aircraft from the swampy terrain. A thorough mechanical examination of the engine was conducted to determine the cause of the power loss. The inspection revealed no evidence of pre-impact malfunction or mechanical failure within the engine components. This finding effectively ruled out a sudden mechanical breakdown as the primary cause of the event.
Findings
Further inquiry into the flight history uncovered a critical detail regarding the aircraft's recent usage. Records indicated that the aircraft had been flown for 2.6 hours prior to the departure time of the flight in question. This short interval between flights, combined with the lack of refueling or adequate fuel planning for the night VFR leg, points directly to fuel exhaustion as the cause of the power loss.
The pilot's decision to depart without ensuring sufficient fuel reserves for the intended destination, accounting for potential delays or diversions, contributed significantly to the outcome. The emergency landing in the Everglades was a direct result of the engine stopping due to lack of fuel.