On August 22, 1992, a Piper PA-32-260 (registration N3985W) operated by Alfred L. Moseley was involved in an aviation accident near Newburyport, MA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot was forced to ditch an airplane after the engine lost power while cruising offshore. The aircraft sank in about 45 feet of water.
Circumstances
The pilot was cruising approximately 200 feet offshore at an altitude of about 75 feet above the ocean when the engine lost power. The pilot reported making several unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine before ditching the airplane in the ocean. The aircraft subsequently sank in about 45 feet of water.
Aircraft Information
The airplane had not flown in over 2 years prior to the accident. The pilot did not have the aircraft inspected before departure. The last annual inspection was performed approximately 5 years before the accident.
Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examination of the engine did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 22 Aug 1992 Piper PA-32-260 accident near Newburyport, MA?
A pilot was forced to ditch an airplane after the engine lost power while cruising offshore. The aircraft sank in about 45 feet of water.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 22 Aug 1992 involved a Piper PA-32-260, registration N3985W, operated by Alfred L. Moseley, at Newburyport, MA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
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