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Casualties unknown

Unrecovered Aircraft Lost Over Water After Engine Failure (N576PR)

Atlantic Ocean, AO, US

On March 30, 1997, a Piper PA-32-260 (registration N576PR) operated by Aero Bieke, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Atlantic Ocean, AO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's poor in-flight planning/decision by flying at too low of an altitude to glide to shore for a forced landing. 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 2026-06-21Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft lost all engine power while descending over water for landing. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but failed, resulting in a ditching approximately five nautical miles from shore.

What happened

The pilot reported that during the descent phase, the aircraft was operating over a body of water while preparing for an approach to land. At this point, the engine experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot made immediate attempts to restore engine operation, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Consequently, the pilot executed a forced landing on the water surface. The accident occurred approximately five nautical miles from the shoreline.

The investigation

A thorough search was conducted to locate the wreckage of the aircraft. Despite extensive efforts, the airplane was not recovered from the water. Because the physical evidence was unavailable for examination, investigators could not determine the mechanical or operational cause of the reported loss of engine power.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Mar 1997 Piper PA-32-260 accident near Atlantic Ocean, AO?

An aircraft lost all engine power while descending over water for landing. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but failed, resulting in a ditching approximately five nautical miles from shore.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Mar 1997 involved a Piper PA-32-260, registration N576PR, operated by Aero Bieke, Inc., at Atlantic Ocean, AO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's poor in-flight planning/decision by flying at too low of an altitude to glide to shore for a forced landing.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07606. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.