# NTSB MIA85LA198: Piper PA-23-250, N21ML, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), June 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1985, 17:50 local (21:50 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): 31417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31417/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA198

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING AN OVERWATER FLT, A FIRE BEGAN IN THE FRONT SECTION OF THE ACFT WHILE HE WAS CRUISING AT 10,500 FT. HE RADIOED HIS POSITION ON THE EMERGENCY FREQ (121.5 MHZ) & SQUAWKED AN EMERGENCY CODE (7700) ON HIS TRANSPONDER. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE DITCHED THE ACFT IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN & WAS RESCUED BY THE COAST GUARD ABOUT 4 HRS LATER. THE ACFT SANK IN THE OCEAN & WAS NOT RECOVERED; THEREFORE, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE PLT SUSPECTED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21ML](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21ML-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 27-7554134, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- 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: 27-7554134
- Airframe hours: 1150
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Harris
- Registered owner: Robert L. Harris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SJU, SAN JUAN, PR
- Destination: FLL, FT.LAUDERDALE, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 300 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 19850624077919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850624077919A), Jun 24, 1985: Piper PA23250, Dominican Repub, DR, Destroyed. Reported fire in nose of aircraft,ditched in Atlantic Ocean. Suspect origin of fire as electrical.

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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