What happened
On a cross-country flight originating in Orlando, Florida, and destined for Salisbury, Maryland, the pilot operated under instrument flight rules. Prior to departure, the pilot confirmed that all five fuel tanks were filled to capacity. The aircraft was configured with a total usable fuel capacity of 183 gallons, including two large-capacity auxiliary tanks and a locker tank. During the flight, the pilot requested weather information for White Plains, New York, and subsequently updated the flight plan to make HPN the new destination.
While cruising at 21,000 feet near the New York area, air traffic control instructed the pilot to follow a published arrival procedure and descend to 16,000 feet. At this time, the pilot notified controllers of having minimal fuel due to concerns regarding weather and traffic congestion, though no emergency was officially declared. Following a descent clearance, the pilot reduced power to idle. As the pilot attempted to increase power to level off at the assigned altitude, the right engine failed. The pilot notified air traffic control of the engine loss and requested vectors to the nearest runway. Approximately two minutes later, the left engine also ceased producing power. The pilot performed a ditching of the aircraft type and successfully exited the airframe before it submerged. The aircraft was not recovered.
Findings
- The pilot reported no mechanical issues prior to the commencement of the flight.
- The fueler confirmed that 100 gallons of fuel were added and all tanks were topped off before takeoff.
- The right engine failed during a power increase following a descent.