# NTSB MIA89LA046: Piper PA-28-180, N7926N, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), November 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1988, 17:46 local (22:46 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT CONTACTED IFSS AT MIAMI, FL AND FILED AN INTL FLIGHT PLAN TO THE BAHAMAS. HE DID NOT REQUEST A WEATHER BRIEFING AND NONE WAS GIVEN. THE PILOT LATER CONTACTED CONTROLLERS AND STATED THAT HE WAS IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE. CONTROLLERS ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE HIM ON RADAR BUT BY THE TIME THEY FOUND HIM AND ATTEMPTED TO ASSIST HIM HE DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR OVER THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND NO FURTHER CONTACTS WERE MADE. THE WX OBSERVATION WAS RECORDED AT 1750 EST AT THE WEST PALM BEACH AIRPORT. NO RECORD OF ANY FLIGHT TIME WAS LOCATED BUT PERSONNEL AT THE LANTANA AIRPORT STATED THAT THEY BELIEVED THAT THE STUDENTS INSTRUCTOR PILOT, A BAHAMIAN CITIZEN, HAD ENDORSED THE PILOTS STUDENT CERTIFICATE FOR FLIGHTS TO AND FROM WEST END, BAHAMAS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7926N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7926N-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 28-5337, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 285337
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Adderley, Edward
- Registered owner: Edward Adderley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LNA, LANTANA, FL
- Destination: MYGW, W END, BAHAMAS, OF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 340° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 47 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 19881128070049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881128070049A), Nov 28, 1988: Piper PA28180, West Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Student pilot and aircraft became missing on flight from west Palm to Bahamas. Reported he was in IMC in heavy rain

## Other investigations on N7926N (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 DEN71DQD15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN71DQD15), Feb 26, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N7926N), Columbus, NM, substantial 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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