# NTSB MIA81DA044: Piper PA-32, N9637C, Aruba (Atlantic Ocean), February 2, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 2, 1981
- Place: Aruba (Atlantic Ocean) · ARUBA,NETS, AO
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA81DA044
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81DA044

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0277   81/2/2  NR.ARUBA,NETS         PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 40, 900
        TIME - 1218                    N9637C              PX-  1  0  0  UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED      TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
         UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED        UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED         UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNDETERMINED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
                                  LOW ON FUEL
        REMARKS- REPORTED LOW ON FUEL,DITCHING.ACFT DMG & INJURY INDEX PRESUMED.NETHERLANDS ANTILLES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9637C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9637C-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 32R-7885063, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (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 19810202019159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810202019159A), Feb 2, 1981: Piper PA32RT300, Aruba, NR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft appraently ditched in ocean. No trace of wreckage found.

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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