# NTSB MIA84LA015: Piper PA-23, N6403Y, Gulf Of Mexico, October 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1983, 17:17 local (21:17 UTC)
- Place: Gulf Of Mexico
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31053/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA015

## Sequence of events

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

- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight/nav instruments,compass - incorrect (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BEFORE FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT SAID HE DEPARTED AN ARPT NEAR GREAT INAGUA,BAHAMAS IN VMC WEAHTER. HE REPORTED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A MALFUNCTION OF THE COMPASS AND FEARING FUEL EXHAUSTION HAD MADE TWO PASSES AROUND A FREIGHTER BEFORE DITCHING ACROSS HER BOW. THE ACFT SANK BUT THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE RESCUED. A LATER REPORT FROM U.S. CUSTOMS IN MIAMI REVEALED THAT THEY SPOTTED THIS ACFT FLYING 100 FT ABOVE THE WATER NEAR CUBA. THEY FOLLOWED IT TO GREAT INAGUA ISL THEN ON TO A POINT SOUTH OF ANDROS IS IN THE BAHAMAS. THE FLT THEN PROGRESSED TO MARATHON AND KEY WEST BEFORE FLYING OUT OVER THE GULF TO DITCH. THE INITIAL DEPARTURE POINT, DESTINATION AND FLT PURPOSEWERE NOT DETERMINED. THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE ACFT SAID HE HAD RECENTLY SOLD THE ACFT. THE IDENTITY OF THE NEW OWNER WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6403Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6403Y-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 27-3688, built 1967 (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 TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-3688
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phillip M. Bueter
- Registered owner: Clyde Love Distributing, Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,445 total, 252 in this make and model, 1,275 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19831021055069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831021055069A), Oct 21, 1983: Piper PA23250, Gulf Of Mexico, Mexico, Destroyed. Aircraft spotted low off cuba followed to Florida keys then ditched in Gulf. Pilot stated was lost and low on fuel.

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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