Accident Details
On September 15, 2019, at 1146 central daylight time, a Piper PA-46-350P, registration N218MW, experienced a loss of engine power while maneuvering over the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot executed a forced ditching. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Mailworks, Inc., Spring Valley, California, under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed near the accident site, and the flight was conducted under a visual flight rules flight plan. The aircraft departed Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX), Titusville, Florida, at 0830 eastern daylight time, en route to Ozona Municipal Airport (OZA), Ozona, Texas, with a final destination of Gillespie Field Airport (SEE), El Cajon, California.
Flight History
According to the pilot's report, he departed TIX with 140 gallons of fuel. After crossing Gulfport (GPT), Mississippi's Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA) at an altitude of 10,500 feet, he initiated a gradual descent over Boothville, Louisiana, and proceeded southbound toward the mouth of the Mississippi River, descending to 1,500 feet. He then configured the airplane for climb. When power was applied, the engine did not respond, and the aircraft began losing altitude. The pilot completed the emergency checklist but was unable to restore engine power. He declared an emergency to Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and on frequency 121.5 MHz. He also activated the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) before ditching.
Ditching and Rescue
After ditching, the pilot donned his life jacket, exited the airplane, and remained on its wing until it sank. Approximately one hour later, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescued the pilot and transported him to a hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was discharged a few hours later. The airplane was not recovered.