Introduction
A delivery flight from Tangier to Saint Peter-La Villiaze on Guernsey Island ended in a fatal ditching near Jersey when the aircraft ran out of fuel. The pilot was the sole occupant.
Sequence of Events
While approaching the Channel Islands, the pilot informed air traffic control about technical problems and elected to divert to Jersey Airport. Shortly thereafter, both engines stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft lost height and crashed into the sea approximately 3 nautical miles northwest of Jersey Island. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot was killed.
Probable Cause
Official findings identified several causal factors: the commander had not made an appropriate allowance for adverse headwind components before or during the flight; the aircraft was not carrying sufficient fuel for the intended flight; the commander apparently ignored pre-flight and in-flight indications that he should land and refuel in France; and the commander's chances of survival were adversely affected by not adopting the optimum configuration and heading for ditching.