# NTSB MIA85LA070: Piper PA-31, N801BR, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), December 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1984, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- 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): 31336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA070

## 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
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - initiated, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - roll

## Analysis

ABOUT 5 HRS & 10 MINS AFTER DEPARTURE, BOTH ENGS FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AT 11,000 FT APRX 40 MILES FROM HAITI. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ACFT WAS USING MORE FUEL THAN NORMAL AND THE DESTN WAS CHANGED ACCORDINGLY.  A SHORT TIME AFTER INITIATING THE DIVERT, BOTH ENGS QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N801BR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-241
- Airframe hours: 7357
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-M1A5 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ready Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 1983, 220 hours before
- Departed: SRQ, SARASOTA, FL
- Destination: MTPP, PORT AU PRINCE, OF
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,310 total, 235 in this make and model, 4,110 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19841229076099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841229076099A), Dec 29, 1984: Piper PA31, Jean Rabez, HA, Destroyed. Fuel consumption higher than anticipated, possible fuel line leakage. Ditched 40 miles west of Jean Rabez, haiti.

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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