# NTSB MIA80FKA04: Piper PA-23, N238PS, St.Thomas, VI, January 18, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 18, 1980
- Place: St.Thomas, VI · ST.THOMAS,VI, VI
- Location: 18.3533° N, 64.9365° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Saint Thomas, VI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.3533&lon=-64.9365&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA80FKA04
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80FKA04

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1031  80/1/18  NR.ST.THOMAS,VI       PIPER PA-23         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 29, 1600
        TIME - 1125                    N238PS              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 150 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ST.THOMAS,VI                 VIEQUES,PR
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- ENROUTE DEST TO REFUEL-LT ENG FAILED WHILE PLT COPING WI OPEN CABIN DOOR.PROP NOT FEATHERED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N238PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N238PS-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N 27-3721, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19800118013899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800118013899A), Jan 18, 1980: Piper PA23250, St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Destroyed. Door came open after take off. Pilot attempted to close door and noticed power reduction on one engine. Unable return

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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