Piper PA-23-250 accident near Caribbean Sea

On May 10, 2006, a Piper PA-23-250 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Caribbean Sea. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

May 10, 2006

Place

Caribbean Sea

Aircraft

Piper PA-23-250 · Airplane

Injuries

2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

18.033°N, 65.900°W

NTSB ID

20060519X00591

Official records · MIA06LA106

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

Air traffic control records

• ATC Audio segment, San Juan Combined Enroute ATC Audio segment, San Juan Combined Enroute Approach Control, in MP3 forma: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 10, 2006, about 1930 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Piper PA-23-250, N5033Y, registered to and operated by a private individual, was lost from radio and radar contact while over the Caribbean Sea approximately 18 miles south-southeast from Cyril E. King Airport (TIST), Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight from TIST to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (TISX), Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S.V.I. The airplane is presumed destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot, and 1 passenger are presumed to be fatally injured. The flight originated about 1908, from TIST. The flight departed from runway 28, and proceeded south of TIST. NTSB review of recorded two-way communications between the pilot and San Juan Combined Enroute Approach Control (San Juan CERAP) facility revealed that at approximately 1916:21, the pilot contacted the facility and provided the registration and airplane's altitude. There was no reply from the facility. At approximately 1917:19, the pilot again contacted the San Juan CERAP facility and provided the airplane's registration. At approximately 1917:23, the controller advised the pilot that the flight was radar identified, and to resume his own navigation. The controller also advised the pilot that automated terminal information service (ATIS) "Papa" was current at TISX, and provided an altimeter setting of 29.93 inHg. The pilot acknowledged the altimeter setting, and requested flight following. The controller acknowledged the

Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane. A contributing factor in the accident was the spatial disorientation of the pilot, resulting in the in-flight loss of control.

More accidents in Caribbean Sea

• LIAT Flight 319, Aug 3, 1986

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.