# NTSB MIA81DA077: Piper PA-31, N35803, Grand Cayman, Burkina Faso, May 17, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 17, 1981
- Place: Grand Cayman, Burkina Faso · GRAND CAYMAN,BWI, Bahamas
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 6, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA81DA077
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81DA077

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1595  81/5/17  NR.GRAND CAYMAN,BWI   PIPER PA-31         CR-  0  0  2  NONCOMMERCIAL             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1753                    N35803              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  34, 11500 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            2220 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          LAKELAND,FL                 GAND CAYMAN,BWI             UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MISCALCULATED FUEL CONSUMPTION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        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- DITCHED APRX 7MI FM DESTN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35803](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35803-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N 31-8052086, built 1980 (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)
- 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 19810517029299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810517029299A), May 17, 1981: Piper PA31350, Grand Cayman, UK, Destroyed. Aircraft ditched at sea because of fuel exhaustion.

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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