# NTSB MIA86LA036: Piper PA-23-160, N4444P, Dorado, PR, November 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1985, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Dorado, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31549/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA036

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER A BRIEF LOCAL FLIGHT HE WAS RETURNING TO ISLA GRANDE ARPT WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER IN BOTH ENGINES & MADE A FORCED LANDING ON THE BEACH NEAR DORADO PUERTO RICO. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE TWO MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY & THE AUX TANKS CONTAINED ONLY A NEGLIGIBLE AMOUNT OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4444P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4444P-2013-11-12), registration cancelled 2013-11-12, S/N 23-1963, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1963
- Airframe hours: 8850
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Victor Santiago
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SIG, ISLA GRANDE, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 580 total, 250 in this make and model, 435 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 24 nm away

## Other investigations on N4444P (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA73OM021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73OM021), Aug 21, 1972: Piper PA-23 (N4444P), Virgin Gorda, U.S. Virgin Islands, incident, minor damage

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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