History of Flight
The pilot reported that he had only ordered fuel for the first flight of the day and did not refuel during subsequent flights. He flew from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Florida, to Chubb Cay and Big Whale Cay in the Bahamas, then back to Fort Lauderdale Executive. Without refueling, he then departed with passengers to North Eleuthera Airport, Bahamas, and was returning to Fort Lauderdale International Airport when the incident occurred.
Pilot Communications
At 1757, the pilot contacted FAA Miami Approach Control, stating "minimum fuel" but not declaring an emergency. Control was transferred to Fort Lauderdale ATCT. The pilot was cleared to land on runway 09R as number one. At 1758:43, he requested runway 27L. At 1759:17, the controller cleared him to descend and expect runway 27L. At 1800:07, the pilot declared an emergency, and at 1800:10, the controller cleared him to land on runway 27L, reporting wind. At 1800:27, the controller asked if the emergency was due to minimum fuel; the pilot confirmed and said he might be coming in "dead stick."
Ditching
At 1800:40, the pilot stated he had the airport in sight and would try to glide. At 1801:32, he reported being short of the shore. At 1802, he ditched the airplane about 300 yards from Dania Beach near John Lloyd State Park, in about 15 feet of water. The pilot and four passengers exited the aircraft. One passenger drowned after panicking in the water, despite the pilot's attempts to assist with a life vest. The other passengers confirmed the pilot gave no pre-departure safety briefing.
Examination
On-scene and follow-on examination of the airplane and its engines found no pre-accident anomalies. The pilot stated, "the way the engines were acting, it seemed like the airplane ran out of fuel."
Probable Cause
The pilot's inadequate planning for a Title 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight, and his failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion while en route over the Atlantic Ocean, a power off glide, and ditching in the ocean.