# NTSB MIA90LA170: Piper PA-22-150, N6946D, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), August 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1990, 15:38 local (19:38 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA170

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED. THE AIRPLANE IS MISSING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED SEBASTIAN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, ENROUTE TO FREEPORT GRAND BAHAMAS, WITH 3 PASSENGERS. NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ARRIVE AT DESTINATION AIRPORT. A 2 DAY SEARCH WAS INITIATED BY US COAST GUARD, AND TERMINATED WITH NEGATIVE SIGHTINGS. A BODY WAS RECOVERED BY THE US NAVY 9 DAYS LATER, OFF THE COAST OF VIRGINIA, AND IDENTIFIED BY A MEDICAL EXAMINER, FROM DENTAL RECORDS, AS A PASSENGER FROM THE MISSING AIRPLANE. NO WRECKAGE WAS SIGHTED. THE REMAINING PERSONNEL ARE MISSING AND PRESUMED DEAD. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS UNDETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6946D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6946D-1992-07-22), registration cancelled 1992-07-22, S/N 224874 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-4874
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Plasse, Edgar P.
- Registered owner: Plasse, Edgar P
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1990, 147 hours before
- Departed: X-26, SEBASTIAN, FL
- Destination: MYGF, FREEPORT, OF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; student; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB

## 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 19900810033099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900810033099A), Aug 10, 1990: Piper PA22150, Atlantic Ocean, FL, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Became missing on flight from sebastian Florida to freeport Bahamas. One body found in Ocean.

## Other investigations on N6946D (2)

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 FTW68D0220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68D0220), Sep 9, 1967: Piper PA-22 (N6946D), Marshall, OK, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X3491](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3491), Aug 20, 1964: Piper PA22 (N6946D), Nugent, TX, 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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