What happened
On June 1, 2023, a Piper PA-32-260, registered N3790W, departed San Andros Airport in the Bahamas as part of a multi-leg commercial flight. The aircraft was en route to West Palm Beach, Florida, carrying five people on board. While climbing through 6,000 feet during the transition to cruise flight, the pilot experienced a sudden loss of engine power.
Following the power loss, the pilot attempted to restart the engine and followed established emergency checklists. After notifying Miami Center and subsequently Nassau Air Traffic Control, the pilot determined that returning to San Andros was not possible. To avoid a more dangerous impact, the pilot opted to ditch the aircraft in shallow waters, approximately 20 miles northwest of San Andros. The aircraft came to rest in water roughly 8 to 10 feet deep. Emergency responders from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Bahamas Defense Force, US Coast Guard, and BASRA successfully located and rescued all five occupants. There were no injuries reported.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the AAIA involved a detailed teardown and analysis of the aircraft in Florida, supported by representatives from Piper and Lycoming Engines. Investigators examined the wreckage, which showed evidence of saltwater submersion and corrosion.
During the engine inspection, investigators discovered that both the left and right magneto distributor caps had become fully detached from their respective magneto housings. While the exact moment these caps became detached remains unknown, the loss of these components would logically result in a loss of engine power. However, the technical analysis of the engine and airframe did not reveal any other mechanical defects or malfunctions that could have contributed to the event.