# NTSB MIA88LA259: Piper PA-32-300E, N8671N, San Juan, PR, August 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1988, 16:11 local (20:11 UTC)
- Place: San Juan, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA259
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA259

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
- Ditching, descent - emergency

## Analysis

WHILE ON A BUSINESS FLT SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE WHILE CLIMBING TO CRUISE, THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG QUIT. THE ACFT WAS DITCHED & HAS NOT BEEN RECOVERED THEREFORE NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE REPORTED LOSS OF ENG POWER. THE PLT HAS NOT BEEN AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW AND FAA HAS NO MEDICAL RECORDS ON HIM. HE HAS NOT FILED AN ACC REPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8671N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8671N-1989-04-19), registration cancelled 1989-04-19, S/N 32-7240028, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300E
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (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: 32-7240028
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Indep-Line, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: MFFJ, ST. BARTHELEMY, OF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 14 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 19880819035089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880819035089A), Aug 19, 1988: Piper PA32300, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Pilot report engine quit. Ditched in ocean. Pilot rescued. Aircraft sank. Cause of power loss unknown.

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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