# NTSB MIA83LA151: Piper PT 6A-28, N831PC, W. Palm Beach, FL, June 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1983, 13:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: W. Palm Beach, FL
- Location: 26.7153° N, 80.0534° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Palm Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7153&lon=-80.0534&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA151

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
- Forced landing, landing
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE ON AN OVER WATER FLT, BOTH ENGS LOST POWER & THE PLT DITCHED THE ACFT AT SEA. BEFORE DITCHING, THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WAS OUT OF FUEL, THE ATC CONTROLLER CONTACTED A US COAST GUARD HELICOPTER THAT WAS ON HIS FREQUENCY & REQUESTED ASSISTANCE. THE HELICOPTER WAS FLOWN TO THE DITCHING AREA & THE DOWNED PERSONNEL WERE RESCUED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N831PC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N831PC-1984-09-05), registration cancelled 1984-09-05, S/N 31T-8020001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PT 6A-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t) (registry code 7103124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T-8020001
- Airframe hours: 1442
- Engines: P&W PT6A-28 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gee And Jenson, Inc.
- Registered owner: Beech Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1983
- Departed: MYER, ELEUTHERA ISL.
- Destination: PBI, W. PALM BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,239 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 6,119 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 2 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 19830601021999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830601021999A), Jun 1, 1983: Piper PA31T, Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel offshore. Ditched in ocean. Failed to ascertain safe fuel supply for the IFR filed flight.

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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