What happened
On 4 July 2020, a Piper PA-2-181 Archer II, registered N5352F, was performing a ferry flight from Saint-Barthélemy to Pointe-à-Pitre - Le Raizet airport. The flight was being conducted by a pilot accompanied by one passenger. After climbing to 5,500 ft, the aircraft descended to 3,500 ft due to cloud cover.
At approximately 14:15, while 30 NM from the destination, the crew observed a reduction in engine speed without any preceding noise. This loss of power prevented the aircraft from maintaining its flight level. The pilot transitioned to a best glide speed of approximately 75 kt. The passenger, an experienced pilot, performed the in-flight power loss procedures, including switching fuel tanks and checking the magnetos, but the engine power did not recover.
As the aircraft descended, the crew prepared for an emergency ditching. At 1,000 ft, the crew donned lifejackets and prepared the liferaft. At 600 ft, the pilot notified air traffic control of the intention to ditch. The aircraft was shut down and the engine powered off at approximately 200 ft. The aircraft ditched parallel to the swell, and the aircraft was subsequently destroyed as it sank within ten minutes. The crew successfully deployed the liferaft and were rescued by a Civil Defence helicopter at approximately 15:00.
The investigation
The BEA investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the engine failure and the subsequent ditching. Because the wreckage was not recovered from the seabed, the investigators were unable to perform a physical examination of the engine or the aircraft components. The investigation reviewed maintenance records, which showed a recent 100-hour/yearly inspection completed in June 2020. The investigators also examined the engine's operating hours, noting that the Lycoming engine had logged 2,423 hours since its last overhaul, exceeding the manufacturer's recommended 2,000-hour TBO.
Findings
- The investigation could not determine the specific cause of the engine power loss due to the unavailability of the wreckage.
- The engine was operating beyond the manufacturer's recommended time between overhaul (TBO).
- The successful outcome of the accident was attributed to the crew's effective multi-crew cooperation, the timely use of lifejackets and the liferaft, and the efficient coordination between air traffic control and rescue services.