Accident Overview
While en route to the destination, the pilot advised air traffic control (ATC) that the airplane engine had lost power and that he was unable to maintain altitude, necessitating a ditching. Initial attempts to locate the wreckage and rescue the pilot were unsuccessful.
Wreckage Recovery and Examination
The airplane was recovered more than one month after the accident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction.
Fueling Details
The most recent known refueling occurred the day before the accident, when the airplane was reportedly fueled "to the tabs." This fuel load equals 15 gallons per side (30 gallons total), of which 22.4 gallons is considered usable fuel. After being fueled, the airplane was flown from Nantucket to Lawrence, and was returning to Nantucket when the accident occurred. The fuel tanks were compromised during impact.
Survival Equipment
No survival equipment was on board the airplane.