# NTSB MIA85FA088: Piper PA-23-250, N555MF, St. Croix, January 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1985, 09:08 local (13:08 UTC)
- Place: St. Croix
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31225
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31225/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA088

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
  - engine assembly - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHEN STARTING DESCENT THE PILOT STATED THE RIGHT ENG FAILED & THE PROPELLER FEATHERED BY ITSELF. THE PILOT THEN SWITCHEDTHE LEFT FUEL TANK SELECTOR TO THE LEFT AUX TANK. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE LEFT ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT DECLARED A MAYDAY TO ST. CROIX TWR AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD ON THE SOUTHEAST COAST OF ST. CROIX. DURING THE LANDINGROLL THE WINGS HIT A FENCE CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. A NEW PROPELLER WAS PUT ON THE RIGHT ENGINE AFTER RECOVERY AND BOTH ENGINES AND PROPELLERS PERFORMED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N555MF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N555MF), registered now, S/N 31-8012068, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-325](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-325) (registry code 7103105) (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: 27-7305007
- Airframe hours: 3020
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dutch West Indies Export Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 25, 1984, 88 hours before
- Departed: PJM, ST.MAARTEN, OF
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,167 total, 918 in this make and model, 3,077 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STX, 11 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 19850128018529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850128018529A), Jan 28, 1985: Piper PA23250, St Croix, VI, Substantial damage. Right engine surged and quit then left engine failed. Struck a fence on landing. Right fuel strainer had sediment.

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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