Incident Overview
An aircraft was ditched in the Gulf of Mexico shortly before fuel exhaustion would have occurred. The pilot reported that he had departed from an airport near Great Inagua, Bahamas, under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). During the flight, a compass malfunction occurred, leading to concerns about fuel exhaustion.
Sequence of Events
The pilot stated that after the compass malfunction, he made two passes around a freighter before ditching the aircraft across the freighter's bow. The aircraft subsequently sank. A later report from U.S. Customs in Miami indicated that they had spotted the aircraft flying at an altitude of 100 feet above the water near Cuba. Customs followed the aircraft to Great Inagua Island and then to a point south of Andros Island in the Bahamas. The flight then progressed to Marathon and Key West before proceeding out over the Gulf of Mexico to the ditching location.
The initial departure point, destination, and purpose of the flight were not determined. The registered owner of the aircraft reported that he had recently sold the aircraft, but the identity of the new owner was not determined.
Rescue
Both occupants of the aircraft were rescued after the ditching. The freighter near which the aircraft ditched was involved in their rescue. The aircraft sank but no further details on injuries or condition of occupants were provided in the source.
Investigation
The investigation into the incident did not establish the aircraft type, registration, number of engines, date, operator, or location beyond the general area of the Gulf of Mexico and the Bahamas. The time of day, weather characterization (beyond VMC), and ATC involvement were not specified. The source did not state a probable cause for the ditching.