Accident Details
On September 15, 2019, at 1146 central daylight time, a Piper PA-46-350P, registration N218MW, lost engine power while maneuvering over the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot performed a forced ditching. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Mailworks, Inc., Spring Valley, California, under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed near the accident site, and the flight operated on a visual flight rules flight plan.
Flight History
The flight originated at 0830 eastern daylight time from Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX), Titusville, Florida, with an intended destination of Ozona Municipal Airport (OZA), Ozona, Texas. The final destination was Gillespie Field Airport (SEE), El Cajon, California. According to the pilot's report, the aircraft departed TIX with 140 gallons of fuel. After crossing the Gulfport (GPT) Terminal Radar Service Area at 10,500 feet, the pilot initiated a slow descent over Boothville, Louisiana, and proceeded southbound toward the mouth of the Mississippi River, descending to 1,500 feet. The pilot then configured the airplane for climb. The engine did not respond to power application, and the airplane began losing altitude.
Emergency Response
After performing the emergency checklist, the pilot was unable to restore engine power. He declared an emergency to Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center and on frequency 121.5 MHz. He also activated the emergency locator transmitter prior to ditching. Following the ditching, the pilot donned his life jacket, exited the airplane, and remained on its wing until it sank. Approximately one hour later, a United States Coast Guard helicopter rescued the pilot and transported him to a hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was discharged a few hours later.
Aftermath
The airplane has not been recovered.