Incident Overview
A Piper PA-28-180 aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power while flying over Long Island Sound. The cause was fuel exhaustion. The pilot attempted to reach shore but was unable to do so, resulting in a forced ditching in the water. The ditching was executed successfully, and both occupants exited the aircraft without sustaining injuries.
Post-Ditching Events
After being in the water for a period, the two occupants voluntarily separated from each other. One occupant was rescued after approximately three hours in the water. The other occupant drowned and was found several days later. The aircraft sank and was not recovered.
Pilot Actions and Communications
The pilot failed to communicate the fuel situation in a timely manner. After informing air traffic control that fuel was low, the pilot accepted a descent clearance, which reduced the aircraft's gliding distance. No flotation equipment was onboard the aircraft.
Fuel Planning
The pilot stated that the flight had been planned with a fuel consumption rate of 8 to 9 gallons per hour. The aircraft owner, who had purchased the aircraft two years prior, reported that he always flight-planned for 13 gallons per hour when flying cross-country.