Incident Overview
A student pilot conducting his first solo cross-country flight experienced an engine failure and was forced to ditch the aircraft in the Gulf of Mexico. The flight included a 30-mile overwater segment across Florida Bay. The aircraft carried no flotation equipment.
Sequence of Events
Approximately 5.2 hours into the flight, the engine stopped. The pilot performed a ditching near a pleasure craft, which he believed had witnessed the event. However, the boat sailed away without assisting. The pilot had transmitted a mayday call just before ditching and was subsequently rescued by the Coast Guard shortly afterward.
Post-Incident Findings
The aircraft was later recovered, and investigators found no usable fuel in the aircraft. The pilot stated that he had flown additional distance to avoid thunderstorms, which apparently led to fuel exhaustion. At the time of the engine failure, the aircraft was about 10 miles from its destination.
Safety Information
The incident highlights the critical importance of fuel management during flight, especially when deviations for weather are necessary. The lack of flotation equipment in an overwater flight segment is also a notable detail.