History of Flight
On October 13, 2012, at approximately 0458 Atlantic Standard Time, a Piper PA-23-250, registration N5553Y, was substantially damaged after striking water during cruise flight near Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands. The flight was operated by Rainbow International Airlines under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight transporting newspapers. It departed Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (TISX) in Christiansted around 0445 and was destined for Cyril E. King Airport (TIST) in Charlotte Amalie. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Radar data from the Federal Aviation Administration indicated that after takeoff, the airplane climbed to 1,700 feet and leveled on a heading of 330 degrees for about two minutes. It then entered a steady descent on the same heading for approximately ten minutes until leveling at 200 feet. The airplane continued at 200 feet for the final 18 seconds before radar contact was lost, about five miles from the destination.
The surviving passenger was interviewed by the United States Coast Guard and the FAA. She stated she was acquainted with the pilot and had flown with him numerous times on similar newspaper flights. During the flight, the airplane descended to lower altitudes to "get under the weather." She reported seeing lights on the shore near the destination and rain ahead. She recalled light turbulence and observed the pilot making his usual radio call. She then remembered the airplane "hitting a wall" and "seeing a flash" before the cabin filled with water. The pilot broke his window, and they egressed through it. She did not see any other occupants afterward and stated there was no warning before the impact.
Personnel Information
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with multiple type ratings. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued June 1, 2012, at which time he reported 17,000 total flight hours. His most recent Part 135 flight review was completed on December 30, 2011.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was manufactured in 1963 and registered to Cardair, Inc. Its most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on September 12, 2012, at a total of 6,576 aircraft hours. The accident airplane was not listed in the operations specifications of Rainbow International Airlines' Part 135 operating certificate.
Meteorological Information
An NTSB Senior Meteorologist analyzed the weather conditions. A tropical storm advisory (Rafael) was in effect. At 0453, the weather reported at TIST included few clouds at 3,300 feet, a broken ceiling at 4,600 feet, visibility 10 miles in light rain, and wind from 070 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 15 knots. The terminal area forecast for TISX expected northeast wind 4 knots, visibility better than 6 statute miles with thunderstorms in the vicinity and a broken ceiling at 3,000 feet in cumulonimbus clouds. The forecast for TIST expected east wind 8 knots, visibility better than 6 miles, showers in the vicinity, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, and a broken ceiling at 10,000 feet.
A GOES-14 infrared satellite image at 0445 showed enhanced clouds associated with developing Tropical Storm Rafael southeast of the accident site. Several towering cumulus clouds were evident near the accident site, associated with rain showers east of the site and along the route between TISX and TIST. The moon was in the eastern sky at 9 degrees above the horizon with 5% of its visible disc illuminated. The weather data were consistent with the passenger's account of flying beneath outer rain bands of the developing tropical storm. The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing or file a flight plan prior to the flight.
Aerodrome Information
Cyril E. King Airport (TIST) is located about 2 miles west of Charlotte Amalie at an elevation of 23 feet. The airport has a control tower, but it was closed at the time of the accident. Runway 10/28 is 7,000 feet long and 150 feet wide, situated along the shore with the approach end of runway 10 surrounded by water on three sides. Instrument landing system and area navigation approaches were published for runway 10, as well as a VOR approach. However, instrument approach procedures were not authorized while the tower was closed. A caution on the approach charts noted: "CAUTION: Pilots may encounter false illusory indications during night approaches to Runway 10 when using outside visual cues for vertical guidance."
Wreckage and Impact Information
Diver photographs showed the airplane resting inverted on the ocean floor. The right wing was partially separated but remained attached. Both engines were in their nacelles, and the landing gear appeared extended and locked or in transit. No landing gear doors were attached. Hydraulic deformation and tearing of the left wing and belly skin were consistent with a high-speed, shallow-angle impact.
The airplane was recovered on October 20, 2012, and examined by a representative of Piper Aircraft Company and FAA inspectors. The examination revealed control continuity from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces, with no evidence of pre-impact mechanical anomalies.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot was not recovered, and no medical or pathological testing was conducted.