# NTSB MIA92LA143: Piper PA-23-250, N59LD, St. Thomas, June 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1992, 11:08 local (15:08 UTC)
- Place: St. Thomas
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33104/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA143

## Probable cause

IN-FLIGHT FIRE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WITH THE WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT CONTACTED THE TOWER & ADVISED OF AN ENGINE FIRE. THE FLT WAS CLEARED TO RETURN BUT THE ACFT CRASHED APRX 5 MILES WEST OF THE ARPT.  THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT & EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FIRE WAS NEAR THE LEFT ENGINE AREA.  THE LEFT ENGINE WAS NOT RECOVERED.  ON APRIL 29, 1992, THE LEFT ENGINE FUEL SERVO WAS REMOVED & AN OVERHAULED UNIT WAS INSTALLED.  THERE WERE NO FURTHER ENTRIES IN THE LEFT ENGINE LOGBOOK.  NO DETERMINATION  COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE FIRE OR THE ORIGIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59LD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59LD-2013-04-24), registration cancelled 2013-04-24, S/N 27-7405249, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (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: 27-7405249
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Caribbean Air Carrier, Inc.
- Registered owner: Caribbean Air Carrier, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1992
- Destination: X95, FAJARDO, PR
- Airport: STT, Cyril E. King

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STT, 5 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 19920628022049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920628022049A), Jun 28, 1992: Piper PA23250, Charlotte Amali, U.S. Virgin Islands, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Reported left engine fire shortly after departure. Crashed trying to return. Left engine not found. Cause 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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