# NTSB MIA94LA197: Piper PA-23, N556PR, San Juan, PR, August 18, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 1994, 18:02 local (22:02 UTC) - Place: San Juan, PR - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37589 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37589/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA197 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL FOLLOWING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMANDS IMPROPER AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND DRAINING OF FUEL TANKS AND HIS LACK OF TRAINING IN MULTI-ENGINE AIRCRAFT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - 1 engine - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - vehicle - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - inadequate training, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER ON TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND DID NOT CLIMB HIGH ENOUGH TO CLEAR A CONSTRUCTION CRANE THAT WAS LOCATED TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT WING OF THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE CRANE AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED AND CRASHED UPRIGHT INTO THE BAY. THE PILOT ATTRIBUTED THE LOSS OF POWER IN THE LEFT ENGINE TO HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY DRAIN ALL WATER FROM THE FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO FLIGHT. THE LEFT ENGINE SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE CRASH AND WAS NOT RECOVERED. THE PILOT DID NOT HOLD A MULTI-ENGINE RATING. THE PILOT REPORTED HE HAS 6 HOURS OF MULTI-ENGINE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TIME AND NO DUAL INSTRUCTION IN MULTI-ENGINE AIRCRAFT. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 1994, about 1802 Atlantic standard time, a Piper PA-23, N556PR, registered to Francisco Soto, ditched in San Juan Harbor, San Juan, Puerto Rico, following loss of engine power during takeoff from Fernando Dominicci Airport, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during takeoff the left engine lost power. The aircraft drifted to the left and did not climb high enough to clear a construction crane located to the left of the runway. The left wing of the aircraft struck the crane and the aircraft descended and crashed upright in the water. The left engine separated from the aircraft on impact and was not recovered. The pilot stated on his aircraft accident report to NTSB that he did not have any mechanical failures and that loss of power in the left engine was attributed to his failure to properly drain water from the fuel tanks. Federal Aviation Administration records indicate the pilot holds a private pilot certificate with a airplane single engine land rating. The pilot does not hold a airplane multi-engine land rating. The pilot reported he has 6 hours of pilot-in-command time and no dual instruction time in multi-engine aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N556PR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N556PR-1996-10-28), registration cancelled 1996-10-28, S/N 23760 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23 - Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 23-760 - Airframe hours: 6705 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Soto, Francisco - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 1994, 10 hours before - Airport: SIG, Fernando Dominicci, runway 9, 5,317 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 430 total, 430 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 10 knots - Visibility: 14 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: JSJ, 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 19940818021759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940818021759A), Aug 18, 1994: Piper PA23, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Lost power left engine on climbout. Turned into dead engine. Wing hit a crane. Impact in water. Report water in fue 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.