Incident Overview
A pilot operating a ferry flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ferry permit, reported a dual engine failure and subsequent ditching approximately 6 hours and 38 minutes after departure. Neither the aircraft nor the pilot were ever located, resulting in presumed classifications for injuries and damage.
Preflight and Departure
The pilot had secured a ferry permit from the FAA for the specific flight between San Juan and Fort Lauderdale. Prior to the flight, the pilot conveyed to a friend that he was confident he could accomplish the journey without making a refueling stop. The aircraft took off from San Juan with the intention of reaching the destination in Florida.
Inflight Events
About six hours and thirty-eight minutes after takeoff, the pilot made a radio transmission reporting that both engines had failed. He indicated that he was preparing to ditch the airplane. This was the last communication received from the flight.
Aftermath and Search
Following the distress call, search and rescue operations were initiated. However, no trace of the airplane or the pilot was found. Due to the lack of physical evidence, the official injury classification and damage assessment are listed as presumed.