# NTSB MIA80FA029: Piper PA-31, N25VM, St.Croix, VI, January 18, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: January 18, 1980
- Place: St.Croix, VI · ST.CROIX,VI, VI
- Location: 17.7397° N, 64.7388° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Saint Croix, VI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=17.7397&lon=-64.7388&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 7 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 22, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132337
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA80FA029
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80FA029

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0177  80/1/18    ST.CROIX,VI         PIPER PA-31         CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 0743                    N25VM               PX-  0  2  7  COMMUTER AIR CARRIER      25, 2864 TOTAL HOURS, 31
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG S-D        IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ALEX HAMILTON
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ST.CROIX,VI                 ST THOMAS,VI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- GR CYCLED AFTR INITIAL PWR LOSS.FEATHERED ENG AFTR GETTING SURGE OF PWR BACK.TREES ON SHORELINE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25VM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25VM-1982-11-19), registration cancelled 1982-11-19, S/N 31-7305071, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Alex Hamilton

## 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 19800118005539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800118005539A), Jan 18, 1980: Piper PA31350, St Croix, Puerto Rico, Destroyed. Lost power on takeoff. Feathered prop,did not close cowl flaps. Unable to climb,hit trees. Possible over gross weight.

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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