From Earthrounders:
February 17, 2007: Two hours after leaving Natal, Brazil for Dakar, Senegal today, Earthrounder Frank Hettlich had an engine failure in his Seneca3. Although he survived ditching in the ocean some 40 miles from Fernando de Noronha Island, and made it into his life-raft, he has tragically perished as a result of injuries. Frank and his wife Dorise had recently been travelling in Brazil, Argentina and Chile on holiday but he was undertaking the Atlantic crossing back to Africa alone, headed eventually to Capetown. Our heartfelt condolences go to Dorise and daughters Malaika, Bianca, Claudia.