The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a visual outlook and a safe altitude while making a low pass over a boat, resulting in an in-flight collision with the boat mast.
— NTSB Determination
The commercial pilot was conducting an aerial observation flight over the Atlantic Ocean looking for Cuban rafters. A boat was spotted with people waving as if they needed assistance. The pilot elected to make a low pass and drop a radio to the boat so they could communicate. The pilot descended to about 20 feet and collided with a mast on the boat. The pilot diverted to an airport and landed without further incident.
The commercial pilot was conducting an aerial observation flight over the Atlantic Ocean looking for Cuban rafters. A boat was spotted with people waving as if they needed assistance. The pilot elected to make a low pass and drop a radio to the boat so they could communicate. The pilot descended to about 20 feet and…
The accident on 1994-06-19 involved a Piper PA-23-250, registration N5333Y, operated by Hermanos AL Rescate, at Atlantic Ocean, AO.
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a visual outlook and a safe altitude while making a low pass over a boat, resulting in an in-flight collision with the boat mast.
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