# NTSB MIA94FAMS1: Piper PA-32-300, N69118, Missing, August 28, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1994, 15:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Missing
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94FAMS1
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94FAMS1

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED.

## 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 PRIVATE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER DEPARTED TREASURE CAY, BAHAMAS FOR A PLANNED FLIGHT TO FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA. THE PILOT ACTIVATED HIS VFR FLIGHT PLAN BY RADIO AND NEVER ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION. THE SEARCH FOR THE AIRPLANE AND OCCUPANTS WAS NEGATIVE THE DAMAGE AND INJURY CLASSIFICATION SHOWN IN THIS  REPORT ARE ASSUMED.

## Factual narrative

On August 28, 1994, at some time after 1555 eastern daylight time, N69118, a Piper PA-32-300, registered to the pilot, Mr. Terry L. Frahs, was overdue on a VFR flight plan from Treasure Cay, Bahamas, to Fort Pierce, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed and activated by radio. The airplane and the occupants have not been located; therefore, the airplane is presumed to be destroyed and the pilot and passenger are presumed to be fatally injured. The flight originated about 1555 the same day.

Available records and interviews revealed that the pilot had flown to Treasure Cay from Fort Pierce, Florida, earlier in the day after purchasing fuel in Fort Pierce. After takeoff from Treasure Cay, the pilot radioed the FAA IFSS Station in Miami, Florida, and activated his flight plan. No other radio or radar information is available. The flight was determined to be overdue later the same day and extensive ramp searches and telephone searches were initiated with negative results. The U.S. Coast Guard conducted sea searches for 3 days with negative results. The airplane was reported to be equipped with lifevests and a raft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69118](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69118-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 32-7340161, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (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: 7340161
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frahs, Terry R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TREASURE CAY
- Destination: KFPR, FORT PIERCE, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,200 total, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 40 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 19940828024469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940828024469A), Aug 28, 1994: Piper PA32300, Atlantic Ocean, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Became missing on over water flight from Bahamas to Florida. Beleived down in Ocean and two fatalities.

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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