# Accident 20250604007829A: Piper PA-23, Melboure Beach, FL, June 4, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 4, 2025, 13:40 local time
- Place: Melboure Beach, FL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.0211° N, 80.5556° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0211&lon=-80.5556&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2109P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2109P-2025-09-27) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-23 (registry code 7102302, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 1,940 total, 173 in this make and model, 170 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA25LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA217) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250604007829A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

DURING A LONG CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM KFRR (FRONT ROYAL, VA) TO KBCT (BOCA RATON, FL), THE AIRCRAFT’S MOST RECENT REFUELING STOP WAS AT KOGB (ORANGEBURG, SC). THE NEXT PLANNED FUEL STOP WAS AT X59 (VALKARIA AIRPORT, FL). WHILE EN ROUTE ON THIS LEG, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL WEATHER-RELATED ISSUES REQUIRING MULTIPLE DIVERSIONS TO AVOID ADVERSE WEATHER CELLS.

APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MILES FROM X59, AFTER THE FINAL WEATHER DIVERSION, THE AIRCRAFT’S LEFT ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH BEFORE ULTIMATELY FAILING WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER THE OCEAN. THE PILOT THEN TURNED EAST TOWARD THE MELBOURNE BEACH AND BANANA RIVER AREA. THE AIRCRAFT EXECUTED A SUCCESSFUL WATER LANDING, AND THE PILOT, PASSENGER, AND A DOG WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT SAFELY WITHOUT INJURY. THEY WERE ASSISTED BACK TO SHORE BY LOCAL RESIDENTS ON THE WATER.

A POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE FREE OF ANY WATER CONTAMINATION FROM THE RIVER. THE LEFT FUEL TANKS CONTAINED LESS THAN 3/8 INCH OF FUEL AND THE RIGHT TANKS CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT, DUE TO THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF THE WEATHER DIVERSIONS, THE AIRCRAFT ULTIMATELY EXHAUSTED ITS USABLE FUEL, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE FAILURE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA25LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA217), Jun 4, 2025: Piper PA-23 (N2109P), Palm Bay, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power to both of the airplane’s engines due to fuel exhaustion and fuel starvation.

## Other reports on N2109P (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20240825012509I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240825012509I), Aug 25, 2024: Piper PA-23 (N2109P), Winchester, VA, Minor damage. Inspected aircraft at okv for damage. Minor damage to the right engine noted. Determined this is an incident. Reviewed records and found aircraft current.…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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