# NTSB MIA99LA099: Piper PA-32-260, N4802S, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), March 3, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 3, 1999, 11:00 local (16:00 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 April 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45859 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45859/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA099 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, resulting in a forced landing in water, and subsequent sinking of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - water,rough ## Analysis The flight was cruising at 4,500 feet, and was about 20 minutes into the flight, when the pilot reported the engine oil temperature rose rapidly to the red line. About 14 minutes later the oil pressure dropped, the engine ran rough, and the pilot could not maintain altitude. He radioed his position on a frequency of 121.5, 60 DME (distance measuring equipment), off the Nassau VOR 120 degree radial. He elected to ditch near a boat. About 50 feet above the water the propeller stopped, and he glided as close to the boat as he could. The airplane sank and the pilot was picked up from the water, by the occupants of the boat. The airplane was not recovered from the ocean and the cause of the engine failure was not determined. ## Factual narrative On March 3, 1999, about 1100 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N4802S, registered to J. Franklin Corporation, ditched in the Atlantic Ocean, during a forced landing while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 business flight. Visual meteorological conditions were reported, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sank in 8,000 feet of water, and is presumed to be destroyed. The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated at 1030, from Cat Island, Bahamas, en route to Nassau, Bahamas. The flight was cruising at 4,500 feet, and was about 20 minutes into the flight, when the pilot reported the engine oil temperature rose rapidly to the red line. About 14 minutes later the oil pressure dropped, the engine ran rough, and the pilot could not maintain altitude. He radioed his position on a frequency of 121.5, 60 DME (distance measuring equipment), off the Nassau VOR 120-degree radial. He elected to ditch near a boat. About 50 feet above the water the propeller stopped, and he glided as close to the boat as he could. The airplane sank and the pilot was picked up from the water, by the occupants of the boat. The airplane was not recovered from the ocean and the cause of the engine failure was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4802S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4802S-2013-11-07), registration cancelled 2013-11-07, S/N 32-1187, built 1970 (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: 32-1187 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Cutlass Bay Resort - Registered owner: J. Franklin Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MYCE, CAT ISLAND, OF - Destination: MYNN, NASSAU, OF ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,942 total, 350 in this make and model, 1,889 as pilot in command, 188 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MYN ## 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 19990303001989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990303001989A), Mar 3, 1999: Piper PA32260, Nassau, Bahamas, Destroyed. Acft ditched in the ocean due to engine problems, the pilot was rescued by a boat in the area and taken to Nassau. Other circumstances are unknown. 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.