# NTSB MIA96LA009: SIAI-Marchetti SF.260, N913WJ, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), October 17, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1995, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37932
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37932/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA009

## Probable cause

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), which result in a ditching at sea.

## 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 descent/landing
- Ditching, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

The pilot ditched the airplane in the Atlantic Ocean after the engine lost power for undetermined reasons. The pilot was rescued by the United States Coast Guard and transported to a hospital on Great Inagua. The airplane was presumed to have been destroyed.

## Factual narrative

On October 17, 1995, about 1530 Atlantic standard time, a Siai Marchetti, N913WJ, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 129 miles southeast of Great Exuma, Bahamas.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR part 91 ferry flight to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas.  The pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. He was rescued by the United States Coast Guard and transported to Great Inagua, Bahamas.  The airplane sank and was not recovered, therefore the airplane is assumed to be destroyed. The flight had originated from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, earlier that same day.

Due to the remote location of the accident no further information is available at this time.

The pilot reported that the engine failed for undetermined reasons.  Multiple attempts to obtain a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB form 6120.1/2, have been met with negative results.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N913WJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N913WJ-2011-04-08), registration cancelled 2011-04-08, S/N 61-002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIAI-Marchetti SF.260
- Registry model: [Siai-Marchetti SF.260TP](https://openairdocs.org/model/siai-marchetti-sf-260tp) (registry code 8121220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph Cerono
- Departed: MTPP, PORT AU PRINCE, OF
- Destination: MYEF, FREEPORT, OF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU

## 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 19951017047839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951017047839A), Oct 17, 1995: Mrchti SF260, Atlantic Ocean, Destroyed. Pilot on ferry flight reported power loss near Bahamas. Ditched in Ocean. Rescued but aircraft sank. Not recovered.

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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