Incident Overview
A pilot flying from Springfield, Kentucky to Crossville, Tennessee fell asleep during the flight. When he awoke approximately five hours later, he discovered his aircraft was over the Gulf of Mexico, 210 miles south of Panama City, Florida. At that point, only 20 minutes of fuel remained.
Sequence of Events
The pilot declared a mayday on the emergency frequency 121.5. He received assistance from Coast Guard and United States Air Force aircraft, which directed him toward the nearest suitable airport, St. Petersburg, Florida. While en route to St. Petersburg, the engines quit due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft was subsequently ditched in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 70 miles west of St. Petersburg.
Rescue Operation
A Coast Guard helicopter rescued the pilot after the ditching. The pilot was safely recovered from the water. No further details about the aircraft type, registration, or pilot condition were provided in the source.