TAMPA, FL, USA
N1439P
PIPER PA-23
THE PVT-RATED STUDENT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING BEFORE THE FLT & WAS ADVISED THAT FOG WAS FORECAST TO EXIST AT THE DESTINATION AT THE ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL. THE ESTIMATED TIME EN ROUTE WAS 3 HRS WITH 4 HRS OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE FLT DEPARTED AT 2027. THE FLT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS APPROACH & THE CFI LET THE STUDENT FLY PART OF THE APPROACH BUT TOOK CONTROL & PERFORMED A MISSED APPROACH AT MINIMUMS. THE FLIGHT WAS CLEARED FOR ANOTHER ILS APCH WHICH TERMINATED WITH A MISSED APCH. THE FLT THEN REQUESTED CLEARANCE TO A NEARBY ARPT. THE FLT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS APCH, & WHEN IT WAS INBOUND ON THE FINAL APPROACH, THE TOWER CONTROLLER WAS ADVISED THAT AN ENGINE QUIT AND THEY WERE 'OUTTA FUEL.' THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN DITCHED NEAR A BRIDGE & ALL OCCUPANTS EXITED THE AIRPLANE BEFORE IT SANK. THE AIRPLANE WAS RECOVERED 5 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT & THE FUEL TANKS WERE DRAINED WHICH REVEALED THE LT TANK DID NOT CONTAIN ANY FUEL. THE RT FUEL TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 8 OUNCES OF FUEL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 0012, APPROXIMATELY 3 HRS 45 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF.
POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE CFI RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM BOTH ENGINES DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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