# NTSB MIA97LA109: Piper PA-32-260, N576PR, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), March 30, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1997, 17:45 local (21:45 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 September 30, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA109

## Probable cause

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s).  A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's poor in-flight planning/decision by flying at too low of an altitude to glide to shore for a forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Ditching, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - water
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that while descending over water for an approach to land, the engine lost all power. Attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful, and the pilot ditched the airplane about 5 nautical miles from shore. The airplane was not recovered; therefore, the reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined.

## Factual narrative

On March 30, 1997, about 1745 Atlantic standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N576PR, registered to a private individual, was ditched in the Atlantic Ocean about 5 nautical miles northwest of the Island of Vieques, Puerto Rico.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight.  The airplane was presumed to be substantially damaged and was not recovered and the airline transport-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated about 1715 from the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The pilot stated that while descending for approach to land, the engine experienced a total loss of power.  Unable to land at the destination airport he ditched the airplane.  At the time of the loss of engine power he reported having 3.5 hours of fuel on-board.  The airplane was not recovered; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N576PR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N576PR-1997-08-25), registration cancelled 1997-08-25, S/N 32945 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-945
- Airframe hours: 6100
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Bieke, Inc.
- Registered owner: Pablo Speroni
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 1997, 40 hours before
- Departed: SJU, SAN JUAN, PR
- Destination: VQS, VIEQUES, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 900 in this make and model, 5,900 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NRR

## 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 19970330004079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970330004079A), Mar 30, 1997: Piper PA32260, Viesques, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Lost poer descending at vieques. Ditched in ocean. Reason loss of engine power remains unknown. (-23) on 03/30/97 pilot pablo speroni on descent to (tjvg)…

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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