# NTSB MIA91LA193: Aero Commander 500-698, N3840C, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), August 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1991, 17:22 local (21:22 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32910/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA193

## Probable cause

AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF POWER OF BOTH ENGINES FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS FOLLOWED BY A DITCHING IN THE OCEAN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - all engines (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, descent - emergency

## Analysis

WHILE IN LEVEL FLIGHT THE PILOT REPORTED BOTH ENGINES FAILED AND ALL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THEM WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PILOT THEN DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE OCEAN, AND IT SANK AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.  THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE RESCUED 2 DAYS LATER.  ACCORDING TO FUEL CONSUMPTION ESTIMATES THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADEQUATE FUEL FOR THE ENTIRE FLIGHT AND A RESERVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3840C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3840C-1992-06-22), registration cancelled 1992-06-22, S/N 698 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aero Commander 500-698
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 500](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-500) (registry code 0141102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 698
- Airframe hours: 7089
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A2B 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Palm Beach Aviation
- Registered owner: Soul Turkey, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 30, 1991, 8 hours before
- Departed: MYAW, WALKERS CAY, OF
- Destination: PBI, WEST PALM BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,310 total, 296 in this make and model, 81 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: PBI, 76 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 19910804062479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910804062479A), Aug 4, 1991: Gulstm 500RKWELL, West Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed. Both engines quit after leaving Bahamas. Ditched in ocean and sank.

## Other investigations on N3840C (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 UNK64X0460](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0460), Feb 5, 1964: Aero Comm 500 (N3840C), Miami, FL, 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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