Overview
A fish spotting flight over the Chesapeake Bay ended abruptly when the aircraft's engine lost power. The pilot, who had departed with 20 gallons of fuel, was approximately 5 miles offshore at an altitude of 2,500 feet when the engine stopped producing power approximately 45 minutes into the flight.
Emergency Response
Unable to maintain altitude and unable to reach the shoreline, the pilot executed a ditching maneuver into 50-foot deep water. The pilot was subsequently rescued by the crew of a nearby fishing vessel. Due to environmental concerns, the aircraft was not recovered from the bay.
Investigation
The pilot reported not knowing the cause of the engine failure. No further information regarding the aircraft, operator, or flight details was provided in the investigation source.