What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2005-07-05 involved a Piper PA-25, registration N6289Z, at Cape May, NJ.

Banner-Towing Aircraft Ditches in Atlantic Ocean After Uncontrolled Descent (N6289Z)

On July 5, 2005, a Piper PA-25 (registration N6289Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Cape May, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain to perform a forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

A banner-towing airplane lost altitude during cruise flight, and despite pilot inputs including full power and banner release, it continued descending, leading to a ditching in the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft sank and was not recovered.

Preflight and Departure

The pilot completed a preflight inspection and fueled the airplane before departing the airport to pick up a banner for towing.

First Altitude Loss

During cruise flight, the airplane began to lose altitude. The pilot applied full power in an attempt to correct the descent, but the airplane continued to descend. After a period, the descent ceased and the airplane flew normally. The pilot was not alarmed by this event, as he frequently encountered downdrafts in the area.

Second Altitude Loss and Ditching

Later in the flight, the airplane again began to lose altitude. The pilot applied full power, adjusted the engine controls, released the banner, and configured the airplane in various combinations of airspeed and angle of attack. These actions had little effect on the descent rate. Due to the number of persons on the beach, the pilot decided to ditch the airplane in the Atlantic Ocean. The airplane subsequently sank and was not recovered.

Investigation

The aircraft was not recovered, limiting the investigation. The source material does not specify a probable cause for the loss of altitude.

2005-07-05: Piper PA-25 (N6289Z) — Cape May, NJ