# NTSB MIA81DA119: Piper PA-23, N438SB, Cuba (Atlantic Ocean), September 17, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 17, 1981
- Place: Cuba (Atlantic Ocean) · CUBA, AO
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 13, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA81DA119
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81DA119

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2181  81/9/17  NR.CUBA               PIPER PA-23         CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 32,
        TIME - 1210                    N438SB              PX-  0  0  0  UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED      UNK/NR TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MIAMI,FL                    KINGSTON,JAMAICA
        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 - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           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- PLT TRANSMITTED 30MIN FUEL LEFT,80M W OF GUAT BAY.3MIN LTR PLT STD ENGS QUIT.INJURY INDX PRESUMED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N438SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N438SB-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N 27-2476, built 1963 (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 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, 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 19810917060249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810917060249A), Sep 17, 1981: Piper PA23250, Guantanamo Bay, CU, Destroyed. Advise out of fuel, ditching in ocean. No trace of plane or occupants found. Nature of flight and owner unknown.

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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