Flight Details
Before the trip, the pilot received $500.00 from the operator to purchase fuel. The first leg from KFLL to MYEF departed with main fuel tanks full and approximately 10 gallons in each auxiliary tank. The flight lasted 1 hour 40 minutes without deviations. After landing at Exuma International Airport, the main tanks contained slightly more than half capacity. Ten gallons of fuel were added to each auxiliary tank; no additional fuel was purchased.
Fuel Management and Engine Failure
The flight departed for KFLL. During climb to 10,000 feet, the pilot leaned the fuel/air mixture. During cruise, auxiliary fuel was consumed, then the pilot switched to main tanks. After crossing DEKAL intersection at 4,000 feet (about 31 nautical miles southeast of KFLL), the right engine's manifold pressure decreased, cylinder head temperature reached red line, and the engine sputtered. The pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control, who provided vectors to KFLL. The pilot acknowledged but did not comply.
Single-Engine Operations and Ditching
While operating on one engine at full power, the pilot reported no issues with the left engine. He stated he could reach KFLL but was concerned about flying over a populated area at low altitude and was losing altitude. According to the NTSB, the aircraft was capable of a rate of climb greater than 170 feet per minute if flown properly. The pilot elected to ditch in the Atlantic Ocean; the aircraft was not recovered.
Investigation Findings
The operator was repeatedly asked for historical fuel receipts and flight hours for N61518 but did not comply. NTSB review of FAA fuel consumption calculations indicated fuel exhaustion occurred at the approximate location and time when the pilot declared an emergency. The NTSB did not receive a requested detailed, signed, dated statement from the pilot.
Probable Cause
The probable cause was the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power in one engine. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate handling of the aircraft following the right engine failure, failure to extract maximum single-engine performance, and failure to properly refuel the aircraft.