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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 25, 1991 · Piper PA-32-260 · N5513J

Culebra, PR

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 25, 1991
Injury Outcomes
7 injuries (7 minor injuries)
Location
Culebra, PR
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-260
Tail Number
N5513J
Operator
Alas Del Caribe Airlines
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA91LA168

AFTER DESCENDING, THE PILOT OBSERVED THE OIL PRESSURE WAS DROPPING. HE INITIATED A TURN TO LAND AT AN ARPT ON A NEARBY ISLAND BUT STATED THE ENG THEN QUIT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LAND AT THE ARPT AND DITCHED THE ACFT. THE ENG WAS RECOVERED, AND THE OIL SUMP WAS DETERIORATED DUE TO SALT WATER IMMERSION. THE ENG WAS DISASSEMBLED WHICH REVEALED THE NO. 5 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD FAILED DUE TO OIL EXHAUSTION DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. DURING THE DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENG ONLY TRACE AMOUNTS OF OIL WERE FOUND. THE LOGBOOKS RECORDED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND THE ACFT HAD OPERATED ABOUT 1 HOUR SINCE.

NTSB Probable Cause

OIL EXHAUSTION FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Full Narrative

AFTER DESCENDING, THE PILOT OBSERVED THE OIL PRESSURE WAS DROPPING. HE INITIATED A TURN TO LAND AT AN ARPT ON A NEARBY ISLAND BUT STATED THE ENG THEN QUIT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LAND AT THE ARPT AND DITCHED THE ACFT. THE ENG WAS RECOVERED, AND THE OIL SUMP WAS DETERIORATED DUE TO SALT WATER IMMERSION. THE ENG WAS DISASSEMBLED WHICH REVEALED THE NO. 5 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD FAILED DUE TO OIL EXHAUSTION DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. DURING THE DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENG ONLY TRACE AMOUNTS OF OIL WERE FOUND. THE LOGBOOKS RECORDED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND THE ACFT HAD OPERATED ABOUT 1 HOUR SINCE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:21 AST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-260
Tail NumberN5513J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlas Del Caribe Airlines
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-E4B5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary7 injuries (7 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor7
Uninjured0
Total7
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 8 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data