# NTSB MIA88FA009: Piper PA-23-250, N6475Y, St. Thomas, October 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1987, 16:08 local (20:08 UTC)
- Place: St. Thomas
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31989
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31989/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA009

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - 1 engine
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - cowl flap position - improper, pilot in command
- Gear not extended, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - all engines
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Ditching, descent - emergency
  - wheels down landing in water - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE, APRX 3 MILES WEST OF THE ARPT AT ST. THOMAS, THE PLT REPORTED TO THE TOWER THAT THE FLT WAS RETURNING TO LAND DUE TO A LOSS OF POWER FROM THE LEFT ENG. HE SECURED IT, RETURNED TO LAND, & ON SHORT FINAL, POSITIONED THE LANDING GEAR SELECTOR HANDLE DOWN, BUT WITH NO RESULTS. THE TOWER THEN ADVISED THE PLT THAT THE HYDRAULIC PUMP WHICH EXTENDS THE GEAR AND FLAPS IS LOCATED ON THE LT ENG. THE PLT THEN PERFORMED A GO AROUND, PUMPED THE GEAR DOWN, & WHILE ON BASE TO FINAL, ADVISED THE TOWER THAT THE RT ENG WAS MISSING. AFTER TURNING FINAL THE PLT ADVISED THE TOWER THAT THE ACFT WAS GOING IN THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT & ENGS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OR PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6475Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6475Y-1990-02-07), registration cancelled 1990-02-07, S/N 273770 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 273770
- Airframe hours: 6820
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roosevelt Roads Flying Club
- Registered owner: Roosevelt Rd Flying Club Navy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1987, 86 hours before
- Destination: X95, FAJARDO, PR
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: STT, Cyril E King

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 346 total, 7 in this make and model, 256 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STT, 25 nm away

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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