On August 15, 1994, a Piper PA-601P (registration N3642A) was involved in an aviation accident near Sea Isle City, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors contributing to the accident were the presence of a level 6 thunderstorm, loss of gyro's for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's poor weather evaluation. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane broke apart in-flight over the Atlantic Ocean after the pilot reported a gyro failure while in a level six thunderstorm. The wreckage was found on the ocean floor 48 days later.
Accident Overview
An airplane experienced an in-flight breakup while in cruise flight over the Atlantic Ocean. The pilot had reported that the airplane's gyro had failed while flying in a level six thunderstorm. Subsequently, the airplane began a left turn and disappeared from radar. The wreckage was located on the ocean floor approximately 48 days after the accident.
Wreckage and Recovery
Examination of the recovered wreckage revealed that the airplane had broken apart in-flight. The outboard section of each wing and the tail section were not recovered. The airplane's pneumatic system was destroyed.
Pilot Weather Briefing
According to Flight Service Station (FSS) records, the pilot had been briefed on the weather along his route of flight prior to departure.
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