Accident Overview
An airplane that had been sitting in an area affected by hurricane-related flooding was being ferried by a pilot at the owner's request. The pilot reported that after a preflight examination, he took off and reached a cruise altitude of 1,500 feet. Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, the engine ceased operating without warning. The pilot stated he was able to temporarily keep the engine running by using the primer, but it eventually failed completely, forcing him to ditch the airplane in the ocean.
Pilot Background
The pilot informed investigators that he had experienced "several problems" with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At the time of the accident flight, both his FAA private pilot certificate and his FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate had been revoked.
Post-Accident Examination
After the airplane was recovered from the ocean, an FAA inspector conducted an examination. The aircraft exhibited extensive corrosion. Components including the magnetos, carburetor, and spark plugs were found to be worn, severely fouled, or corroded. According to the inspector, due to the prior flooding and the airplane's subsequent submersion in the ocean, it was not possible to determine its preaccident condition.