# NTSB MIA83LA012: Piper PA-32-300, N77QT, Near St. Croix, October 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1982, 20:00 local (Oct 13, 1982, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Near St. Croix
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA012

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT DEPARTED ST CROIX, VI AT ABOUT 2000 LOCAL TIME ON A VFR FLIGHT TO SAN JUAN, PR. THE WEATHER WAS VFR, BUT IT WAS A DARK NIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION AND A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. ABOUT 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE ST CROIX VOR, FLOATING DEBRIS WAS FOUND WHICH INCLUDED A SEAT, ONE MAIN GEAR, SOME INSULATION PANELS AND THE AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE RECOVERED PARTS SHOWED THAT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE OCEAN WATER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77QT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77QT-2012-09-13), registration cancelled 2012-09-13, S/N 32-7240100, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (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: 32-7240100
- Airframe hours: 2931
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Early Bird Coporation
- Registered owner: Early Bird Coporation
- Departed: STX, CHRISTIANSTED
- Destination: SJU, SAN JUAN, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 240 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Observed at: 10 nm away

## 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 19821012052739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821012052739A), Oct 12, 1982: Piper PA32300, St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft became missing on night ocean flight. Found pieces of wreckage. Indicated impacted water at high speed.

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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