What happened
The flight departed at approximately 1915 with the fuel tanks filled to their 102-gallon usable capacity. During the initial phase of the flight, before reaching the first intended airport, the pilot transitioned from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank. After completing one practice instrument approach, the aircraft proceeded toward a second intended destination.
Approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes into the flight, while cruising at 4,500 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, the engine suffered a total loss of power. In response to the emergency, the pilot turned the aircraft toward the nearest airport and transmitted an emergency distress message on the 121.5 MHz frequency. The pilot attempted to restart the engine following established emergency procedures, but these efforts were unsuccessful.
The pilot subsequently performed a ditching in the Atlantic Ocean. Because of the depth of the water at the site, the wreckage was not recovered. The pilot reported that there had been no indications of engine roughness or sputtering prior to the power loss and noted that there was sufficient fuel on board for the flight, as the typical cruise burn rate at 4,500 feet MSL is between 17 and 18 gallons per hour.