# NTSB ERA12LA410: Piper J5A, N40985, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), June 22, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 2012, 17:05 local (21:05 UTC) - Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean) - Coordinates: 37.63499, -72.861167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6350&lon=-72.8612&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 84059 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA410 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84059/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84059 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA410 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the aircraft sank after ditching and was not recovered. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot filled the airplane’s fuel tanks before departing on the over-ocean aerial observation flight. About 5.8 hours into the flight, while the pilot was returning to the departure airport, the engine began losing power. The pilot attempted to restore engine power using carburetor heat and the engine primer but was unsuccessful, so he ditched the airplane in the ocean about 21 miles from the destination airport. The airplane subsequently sank and was not recovered; therefore, no postaccident examination of the engine or airframe could be conducted. Although no information was available regarding the dew point conditions near the accident site, according to a Federal Aviation Administration carburetor icing probability chart, the temperature and dew point at the destination airport were conducive to the formation of carburetor ice at cruise/glide power settings. Postaccident fuel consumption calculations based on information published by the engine manufacturer showed that the airplane had a potential fuel endurance of between 3.8 and 7.1 hours depending on power setting, with an average endurance of 4.8 hours. The pilot estimated that the airplane contained about 5 gallons of fuel when the engine lost power. Because the airplane sank, the investigation was not able to conclusively determine the reason for the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2012, about 1705 eastern daylight time, a Piper J5A, N40985, was presumed substantially damaged following ditching into the Atlantic Ocean, about 12 miles off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the aerial observation flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed Beverly Municipal Airport (BVY), Beverly, Massachusetts, about 1115. According to the pilot, topped-off the airplane’s fuel tanks, performed a preflight inspection, and noted no anomalies. He then departed the airport and completed the aerial observation mission over the Atlantic Ocean. After about 5.8 total flight hours, and, while returning to BVY, the engine began to “surge.” The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to restore the engine to full power by applying carburetor heat, and with no immediate changes, he turned the carburetor heat off. The pilot also attempted to use the engine primer, which briefly restored partial power, but soon after the engine lost power completely. He noted that there were about five gallons of fuel on board when the engine lost power. The pilot subsequently ditched the airplane, and was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard around 1800.The airplane sank into the Atlantic Ocean, was not recovered, and was therefore presumed substantially damaged. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine and multiengine land, and airplane multiengine sea. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical certificate was issued on May 19, 2012. He reported 4,437 total hours of flight time, of which, 91 were in the accident airplane make and model. According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1941, and was registered to the pilot in November 2011. According to the pilot, the airplane’s most recent annual inspection was in October 2011. The airplane had accumulated about 450 total flight hours. The pilot stated that the airplane maintenance logbooks were on board the airplane and subsequently sank with the wreckage; therefore, they could not be reviewed. The pilot also stated that the airplane’s Continental Motors A-75 series engine consumed about 3.5 gallons of fuel per hour during routine cruise flight. According to airworthiness records maintained by the FAA, the airplane was originally equipped with a Continental Motors A-75-8 engine, which was replaced in December of 1956 with a Continental Motors A-80 series engine. The Type Certificate Data Sheet for the airplane specified that it had a total fuel capacity of 25 gallons. The airplane was equipped two wing fuel tanks, with a capacity for 8 gallons each, and a header fuel tank with a capacity for 7 gallons. According to the Continental Motors Maintenance and Overhaul manual, the A-80 series engine consumes an average 5.2 gallons of fuel perhour at cruising engine rpm, which can range from 3.5 to 6.5 gallons of fuel per hour. The weather reported 1700 by a Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems maintained buoy, located approximately 7 nautical miles southeast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and 7 nautical miles from the accident location, included wind from 164 degrees at 8 knots and a temperature of 23.3 degrees C. No dewpoint information was recorded by the buoy. The weather reported at BVY, located about 21 nautical miles from accident location, at 2053, included wind from 290 at 3 knots, 10 miles visibility, scattered clouds at 6,500 feet and 9,000 feet, temperature 33 degrees C, dewpoint 19 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.67 inches of mercury. According to FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB): CE-09-35 Carburetor Icing Prevention, June 30, 2009, given the temperature and dew point reported at BVY around the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of carburetor ice at cruise/glide power settings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40985](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40985-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N 51217, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J5A - Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A80 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a80-series) (registry code 17006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 51217 - Airframe hours: 450 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A80 SERIES 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Edward P. Bulger - Registered owner: Edward P. Bulger - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2011 - Departed: BVY, Beverly, MA - Destination: BVY, Beverly, MA - Airport: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 29, 2012; seat: front; flight hours: 4,437 total, 91 in this make and model, 4,370 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 84 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.67 inHg - Observed at: BVY, 32 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20120622011929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120622011929A), Jun 22, 2012: Piper J5A, Destroyed. On June 22, 2012, aircraft N40985 operated by [privacy data omitted] departed beverly municipal airport and reported, unable to maintain altitude due to engine… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84059. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383242&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 341 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record: Coast Guard (item 3, .PDF, 287 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383243&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%3A%20Coast%20Guard-Master.PDF - BVY Weather Observations (item 4, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371262&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=BVY%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Weather Observations from Buoy (item 5, .PDF, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383240&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations%20from%20Buoy-Master.PDF - Carburetor icing chart with applicable weather data (item 6, .PDF, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384974&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20icing%20chart%20with%20applicable%20weather%20data-Master.PDF - Excerpts from Continental Engine Maintenance, Operation, and Overhaul Manual (item 7, .PDF, 435 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385926&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Continental%20Engine%20Maintenance,%20Operation,%20and%20Overhaul%20Manual-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.