# NTSB MIA95LA156: Piper PA-36-300, N57880, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), June 24, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1995, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA156

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON(S).

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing
- Ditching, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD JUST CHANGED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE HOPPER TANK AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR BACK TO THE MAIN TANK BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE THE ENGINE. HE DITCHED THE AIRPLANE AND WAS PICKED UP BY A PASSING BOAT. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Factual narrative

On June 24, 1995, about 0930 eastern daylight time, N57880, a Piper PA-36-300, registered to Cooperativa de Elet LTDA, ditched in the Atlantic Ocean, about 35 miles east of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sank and is presumed to be destroyed and the pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Fort Lauderdale, about 0855 the same day.

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to ferry the airplane to Brazil, and his first destination was Bimini, Bahamas. He stated he had just changed the fuel selector to the hopper tank and the engine failed. He switched the fuel selector back to the main tank and attempted to restart the engine with negative results. He then ditched the airplane, exited, and was picked up by a passing boat. Multiple requests for a Pilot/ Operators Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 were made with negative results.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57880](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57880-2004-06-07), registration cancelled 2004-06-07, S/N 36-7760041, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-300) (registry code 7103612) (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: 7760041
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Boyds Farm Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FXE, FT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: ZBV, BIMINI, OF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLL, 39 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 19950624039079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950624039079A), Jun 24, 1995: Piper PA36300, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Destroyed. On over ocean ferry flight. Engine quit changing to hopper fuel tank. Unable restart. Ditched. Aircraft sank.

## Other investigations on N57880 (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 MIA79DKG56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79DKG56), Jul 25, 1979: Piper PA-36 (N57880), Denton, GA, 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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