Accident Overview
On February 28, 2019, at 1352 eastern standard time, a privately owned and operated Piper PA32-260, registration N1563X, was ditched into the Atlantic Ocean approximately 25 nautical miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was uninjured. The aircraft was not recovered and is presumed substantially damaged. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Details
The flight departed Treasure Coast International Airport (FPR) in Fort Pierce, Florida, around 1330, with its intended destination being Great Harbour Cay Airport (MYBG) in Bullocks Harbour, Bahamas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, the fuel tanks were topped off at FPR, and he was flying with visual flight rules flight following to the Bahamas.
Approximately 15 minutes after leveling off at 3,500 feet mean sea level, the pilot initiated a climb to 7,500 feet. Immediately thereafter, the engine began to sputter. The pilot turned on the fuel boost pump and observed that the fuel pressure was adequate, but engine performance did not improve. He then switched fuel tanks and applied carburetor heat, but was unable to diagnose the problem. Shortly afterward, the engine lost all power. The pilot turned into the wind, extended full flaps to reduce ground speed, and advised air traffic control that he would be ditching. After landing in the water, the pilot egressed onto the aircraft's wing and deployed a life raft. The aircraft subsequently sank and was not recovered. The pilot activated a personal emergency position-indicating radio beacon and was rescued.
Pilot Information
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine and multi-engine land instrument airplane. A review of his logbook showed 6,918.9 total flight hours, of which 810 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. His last flight review was logged on February 8, 2018.
Aircraft Information
FAA records indicate the aircraft was manufactured in 1975 and powered by a 260-horsepower Lycoming O-540-E485 reciprocating engine. The most recent annual inspection was completed on March 19, 2018, at a recorded tachometer reading of 898.2 hours and an airframe total time of 6,461.2 hours. The engine had accumulated 1,807.5 hours since major overhaul. The pilot reported 84 gallons of fuel onboard at the time of takeoff.
Weather Conditions
At 1353, the weather reported at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), about 25 miles west of the accident site, included winds from 080° at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 3,600 feet, temperature 24°C, dew point 17°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.05 inches of mercury. Review of a Carburetor Icing Probability Chart for the given temperature and dew point indicated that conditions were conducive to moderate icing at cruise power.