# NTSB NYC89FAMS2: Piper PA-32-300, N5899F, Missing (Atlantic Ocean), March 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1989, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Missing (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36299
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FAMS2
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36299/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FAMS2

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.

## 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)
- Ditching, landing
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - icing conditions
  - weather condition - rain
  - weather condition - snow
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED ST JOHNS, NEWFOUNDLAND ON A FLT TO FERRY THE ACFT TO SHANNON, IRELAND.  AT ABOUT 1500 AST, THE GANDER AREA CONTROL CENTER RECEIVED A DISTRESS CALL FROM THE ACFT.  THE PLT RPRTD AN ENG PROBLEM & SAID HE WAS PREPARING TO DITCH.  ELEVEN ACFT & 2 SURFACE VESSELS SEARCHED THE AREA, BUT NEITHER THE PLT NOR THE ACFT WAS FND. A WX SHIP IN THE AREA RPRTD LOW CEILINGS, WIND FROM THE WEST AT ABOUT 16 KTS, AIR TEMP 32 DEG, WATER TEMP 42 DEG, & WAVE HEIGHT OF ABOUT 30 FT.  THESE CONDITIONS PREVAILED DURING THE SEARCH PERIOD WITH THE VISIBILITY REDUCING TO 2 MI IN RAIN, SLEET & SNOW.  THE PLT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE DIED FROM INJURIES OR DROWNING AFTER DITCHING THE ACFT IN HVY SEA CONDITIONS.  THE ACFT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN DESTROYED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5899F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5899F-1989-04-17), registration cancelled 1989-04-17, S/N 327740007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7740007
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Orient Air
- Registered owner: Edward A. Antenucci
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: YYT, ST JOHNS,NFLD
- Destination: SHANNON,IRELAND, OF
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 630 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day

## 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 19890308003349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890308003349A), Mar 8, 1989: Piper PA32300, Atlantic Ocean, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Ferry to shannon. Report engine problem over Ocean. Was ditching. Not found. High seas low ceiling in area.

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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