Casualties unknown

Aircraft Cartwheels After Left Wing Strikes Water During Customs Surveillance (N2107C)

Marathon, FL, US

On November 7, 1986, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N2107C) was involved in an aviation accident near Marathon, FL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

While followed by a US Customs Service aircraft at low altitude, the aircraft entered a left turn, struck water with its left wing tip, and cartwheeled. Bales of unknown substance surfaced; wreckage showed only a tail section. Occupants and bales missing. Owner untraceable; sold 3 days prior.

Incident Overview

An aircraft being followed at low altitude by a United States Customs Service aircraft was observed entering a left turn. During the turn, the left wing tip of the aircraft struck the water surface, causing the aircraft to cartwheel. The aircraft subsequently crashed into the water.

Accident Sequence

The aircraft was under surveillance by the Customs Service aircraft when it initiated a left turn. The left wing tip made contact with the water, leading to a cartwheel motion. The aircraft then crashed.

Post-Crash Observations

Following the crash, bales of an unknown substance were observed floating to the surface. Divers later inspected the wreckage and found that the largest portion of the wreckage was a section of the tail. No signs of the occupants were found, and the bales that had surfaced were also missing.

Wreckage Examination

Upon examination of the wreckage by divers, only a section of the tail was identified as a major component. The rest of the aircraft structure was not recovered or identified.

Ownership Details

The registered owner of the aircraft could not be located after the accident. It was determined that the aircraft had been sold to the registered owner three days before the accident.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X35224. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.