Accident Overview
A student pilot and a certified flight instructor (CFI) departed on an instructional flight after the student completed a preflight inspection. The aircraft had previously been flown for 1.2 hours without incident on the same day, with fuel tanks filled before that flight.
Sequence of Events
During the accident flight, after climbing from an altitude of 1,500 to 2,000 feet, the CFI reported that the engine RPM dropped to 1,000 and the engine began to run rough. The CFI subsequently performed a ditching of the aircraft offshore.
Post-Accident Examination
The aircraft was recovered, and an insurance adjuster examined it. The throttle and mixture controls were found attached to the carburetor. Continuity and compression in all cylinders were verified. The fuel quantity was sufficient to sustain engine operation.
Outcome
Despite the examination, no determination could be made as to the reason for the loss of engine power.