# NTSB MIA72AM123: Piper PA-28, N3646K, No.Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), May 15, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 15, 1972
- Place: No.Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean) · NO.ATLANTIC OCEAN, AO
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 166027
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA72AM123
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM123

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2205  72/5/15    NO.ATLANTIC OCEAN   PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 50, UNK/NR
        TIME - 1242                    N3646K              PX-  0  0  2  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ST.THOMAS,VI                ST.MAARTEN,ANTILLES
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
                                  LOW ON FUEL
        REMARKS- DITCHED NEXT TO SHIP NEARLY OUT OF FUEL.BECAME LOST DUE INADEQUATE NAV EQUIP.PLT & ACFT SANK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3646K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3646K-1972-08-11), registration cancelled 1972-08-11, S/N 28-23665, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (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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