# NTSB MIA83FA017: Piper PA-31, N777AA, Missing Acft (Atlantic Ocean), October 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1982, 00:00 local (04:00 UTC)
- Place: Missing Acft (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 8 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA017

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLT DEPARTED ANGUILLA AT 0803 AST. AT 0805 THE PLT RADIOED ST. MAARTEN & FILED A VFR FLT PLAN TO ST. THOMAS. THE FLT PLAN SHOWED A DIRECT ROUTE OF FLT AT 4,500 FT MSL WITH A TIME ENROUTE OF 45 MIN. THE FLT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT THE DESTINATION. SEARCH EFFORTS WERE SUSPENDED ON 10/23/82 WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. PLTS FLYING IN THE AREA ON THE ACCIDENT DATE REPORTED THAT AT 0920 THERE WAS A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING NW FROM ST. MAARTEN TO THE ANTIGUA AREA. THE LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS HAD A BASE AS LOW AS 1,000 FT WITH CONTINUOUS HEAVY RAIN BELOW. THE ACFT DAMAGE & INJURIES ARE PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777AA-2013-08-28), registration cancelled 2013-08-28, S/N 31-668, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-668
- Airframe hours: 4665
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Carib Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Carib Air Service, Inc.
- Departed: ANGUILLA, B.V.I
- Destination: ST. THOMAS, U.S
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day

## 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 19821020054609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821020054609A), Oct 20, 1982: Piper PA31310, U.S. Virgin Islands, Destroyed, 7 fatal. Aircraft missing on flight from anguilla to st. thomas, usvi. No trace 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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