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NTSB Report
June 24, 1985 · Piper PA-23-250 · N21ML
Atlantic Ocean, AO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 24, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Atlantic Ocean, AO
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N21ML
Operator
Robert L Harris
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA85LA198
THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING AN OVERWATER FLT, A FIRE BEGAN IN THE FRONT SECTION OF THE ACFT WHILE HE WAS CRUISING AT 10,500 FT. HE RADIOED HIS POSITION ON THE EMERGENCY FREQ (121.5 MHZ) & SQUAWKED AN EMERGENCY CODE (7700) ON HIS TRANSPONDER. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE DITCHED THE ACFT IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN & WAS RESCUED BY THE COAST GUARD ABOUT 4 HRS LATER. THE ACFT SANK IN THE OCEAN & WAS NOT RECOVERED; THEREFORE, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE PLT SUSPECTED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING AN OVERWATER FLT, A FIRE BEGAN IN THE FRONT SECTION OF THE ACFT WHILE HE WAS CRUISING AT 10,500 FT. HE RADIOED HIS POSITION ON THE EMERGENCY FREQ (121.5 MHZ) & SQUAWKED AN EMERGENCY CODE (7700) ON HIS TRANSPONDER. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE DITCHED THE ACFT IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN & WAS RESCUED BY THE COAST GUARD ABOUT 4 HRS LATER. THE ACFT SANK IN THE OCEAN & WAS NOT RECOVERED; THEREFORE, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE PLT SUSPECTED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:50 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN21ML
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert L Harris
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 30000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:54