Flight Overview
The pilot was engaged in a cross-country flight. The exact duration of the flight was not specified but fell within a range of 3 hours and 15 minutes to 3 hours and 45 minutes. As the aircraft approached its destination, the engine began to run roughly.
Engine Failure
Upon noticing the rough running engine, the pilot activated the boost pump. This action resulted in a momentary increase in power. However, approximately two minutes after this event, the engine experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot then declared an emergency.
Ditching and Rescue
The pilot performed a ditching of the airplane in a lake. The aircraft was not recovered following the ditching. The pilot was rescued approximately one hour after the ditching. After the rescue, the pilot reported that the fuel gauges displayed 5 gallons of fuel in each tank at the time the engine lost power.