Aircraft Ditched Offshore After Engine Problem Near Punta Gorda (V3-HGB)

Incident Overview and Initial Report Five minutes after departing Punta Gorda, the pilot contacted air traffic control to report an engine problem while the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 1,500 feet. The pilot decided to return to the airport but was unable to maintain the required altitude during the approach. ## Ditching and Outcome Because the aircraft could not be kept at a safe altitude, the pilot attempted to ditch it in water approximately 3 km offshore. The pilot was subsequently rescued. The aircraft sank and was declared lost. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, operator, exact date, or the cause of the engine problem.