AURORA, NC, USA
N5561U
PIPER PA-28-140
THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT AFTER RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WHILE EN ROUTE TO BAYBORO,NC. THE FLIGHT HAD DEPARTED EARLIER IN THE DAY AND HAD FLOWN TO MELFA,VA. THE PILOT DID NOT FUEL THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE STARTING THE FLIGHT AND OVER FLEW SEVERAL POSSIBLE REFUELING LOCATIONS. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED BAYBORO,NC WITH LESS THAN 36 GALLONS OF FUEL, AND THE PILOT HAD FLOWN 3.8 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FILE A FLIGHT PLAN RESULTED IN THE SEARCH FOR THE DOWNED AIRCRAFT BEING DELAYED SEVERAL HOURS. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE PILOT MAKING A MAYDAY CALL NOR DID HE TRANSMIT 7700 ON THE TRANSPONDER. THE TWO PASSENGERS WERE RESCUED BY A FERRY BOAT ABOUT 13 HOURS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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