# NTSB MIA91LA168: Piper PA-32-260, N5513J, Culebra, PR, June 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1991, 16:21 local (20:21 UTC)
- Place: Culebra, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 7 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32888
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32888/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA168

## Probable cause

OIL EXHAUSTION FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - normal
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - overtemperature
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, descent - emergency

## Analysis

AFTER DESCENDING, THE PILOT OBSERVED THE OIL PRESSURE WAS DROPPING. HE INITIATED A TURN TO LAND AT AN ARPT ON A NEARBY ISLAND BUT STATED THE ENG THEN QUIT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LAND AT THE ARPT AND DITCHED THE ACFT. THE ENG WAS RECOVERED, AND THE OIL SUMP WAS DETERIORATED DUE TO SALT WATER IMMERSION. THE ENG WAS DISASSEMBLED WHICH REVEALED THE NO. 5 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD FAILED DUE TO OIL EXHAUSTION DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. DURING THE DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENG ONLY TRACE AMOUNTS OF OIL WERE FOUND. THE LOGBOOKS RECORDED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND THE ACFT HAD OPERATED ABOUT 1 HOUR SINCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5513J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5513J-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 32-970, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-970
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Alas Del Caribe Airlines
- Registered owner: Alas Del Caribe Airlines
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1991, 1 hours before
- Departed: STT, ST. THOMAS
- Destination: X95, FAJARO, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,939 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,891 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910625023909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910625023909A), Jun 25, 1991: Piper PA32260, Culebra, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Engine blew up. Ditched in ocean near shore. Reason for oil loss undetermined.

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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