# NTSB MIA95LA144: Piper PA-32-260, N41528, Vieques, PR, June 2, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1995, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Vieques, PR
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37777/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA144

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undetermined, unknown
  - terrain condition - water
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART AND FLY AT A LOW ALTITUDE UNTIL IT DISAPPEARED. THE AIRPLANE WAS LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER AND WAS NOT RECOVERED. THE PILOT WAS NOT LOCATED.

## Factual narrative

On June 2, 1995, about 1145 Atlantic standard time, N41528, a Piper PA-32-260 operated by Corporate Charter Services Inc., was reported lost near Vieques, Puerto Rico, while on a 14 CFR Part 135 nonscheduled, domestic cargo flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was not recovered and was loacated on the bottom of the sea substantially damaged on July 7, 1995. Both main landing gear tires were found floating on the day of the accident. The pilot has not been found and is presumed to be fatally injured. The flight originated about 5 minutes earlier.

A witness stated that he helped the pilot load UPS cargo and observed the airplane take off for a planned flight to the island of Culebra. He stated he watched the airplane takeoff from runway 27, turn to the north and fly at a low altitude until the airplane disappeared from his view.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41528](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41528-2017-06-20), registration cancelled 2017-06-20, S/N 32-7400033, built 1974 (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: 7400033
- Airframe hours: 4506
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Corporate Charter Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 30, 1995, 1 hours before
- Departed: VQS, PR
- Destination: CPX, CULEBRA, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 45 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NRR, 16 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 19950602041769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950602041769A), Jun 2, 1995: Piper PA32260, Vieques, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Crashed into ocean shortly after takeoff. Pilot not found. Had full load of cargo. Wreckage located on ocean bottom

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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