# NTSB MIA72AM038: Douglas DC-3, N1981W, St Maarten (Atlantic Ocean), October 2, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 2, 1971
- Place: St Maarten (Atlantic Ocean) · ST MAARTEN,N.A., AO
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 14, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 164673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA72AM038
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM038

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4441   71/10/2 NR.ST MAARTEN,N.A.    DOUGLAS DC-3        CR-  0  0  2  MISCELLANEOUS             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1310                    N1981W              PX-  0  0  1  FERRY                     29, 5253 TOTAL HOURS, 131
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ST CROIX,V.I.              ST MAARTEN,N.A.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-2 ENGINES
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- CAUSE OF FUEL STARVATION UNDETERMINED. SANK IN NORTH ATLANTIC.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1981W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1981W-2009-07-09), registration cancelled 2009-07-09, S/N 2232, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3
- Registry model: [Douglas DC3A](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3a) (registry code 3021433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-1830 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1830-series) (registry code 52020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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.

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