Summary
The pilot made a mayday call reporting that the engine had failed at 400 feet over Port Stephens. As there was insufficient altitude to reach the shore, the pilot ditched in the water. Both occupants managed to evacuate the aircraft before it sank.
After recovery from the water, investigation revealed only the unusable fuel quantity remained in the tanks and the fuel strainer and carburettor bowl were empty. No mechanical defects were found with the aircraft apart from salt contamination.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199303960 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 29/11/1993 |
| Location | Port Stephens |
| State | New South Wales |
| Report release date | 28/03/1994 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Fuel exhaustion |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Cessna Aircraft Company |
|---|---|
| Model | 152 |
| Registration | VH-JGK |
| Sector | Piston |
| Departure point | Kempsey NSW |
| Destination | Cooranbong NSW |
| Damage | Substantial |