What happened
The aircraft was operating in cruise flight at an altitude of 1,000 feet above mean sea level when the engine suddenly lost power. Unable to maintain altitude or reach a suitable landing area, the pilot executed a water landing, ditching the aircraft into Lake Okeechobee.
The investigation
Following the recovery of the aircraft from the lake, an inspection was conducted to determine the cause of the in-flight engine failure. The pilot reported that fuel was present in the fuel tank after the incident. He noted that the vent on the fuel tank cap appeared not to be properly vented.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the engine had starved for fuel. The presence of fuel in the tank combined with the pilot's observation regarding the fuel tank cap vent suggests that improper venting prevented fuel flow to the engine, leading to the loss of power and subsequent ditching.