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NTSB Report
March 8, 1989 · Piper PA-32-300 · N5899F
Missing, AO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 8, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Missing, AO
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N5899F
Operator
Orient Air
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89FAMS2
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.
NTSB Probable Cause
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN5899F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorOrient Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K · Reciprocating · 300
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0