4 fatalities

1980-08-20: Cessna 340 (N110RA) — Staal Leasing — Petersburg-James A. Johnson, United States of America

Petersburg-James A. Johnson, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On August 20, 1980, a Cessna 340 (registration N110RA) operated by Staal Leasing was involved in an aviation accident near Petersburg-James A. Johnson, United States of America during landing or approach. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The precise cause of the accident remains undetermined because the wreckage was never recovered. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781223610Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft disappeared into the sea while approaching Petersburg Airport after the pilot reported mechanical difficulties.

What happened

During an approach to Petersburg Airport, the flight crew encountered significant technical issues. The pilot communicated that the aircraft was experiencing various malfunctions while in the descent phase of the flight. During this period, it appeared that the tail section of the plane became separated from the main fuselage.

Following the structural failure, the aircraft type plunged into the ocean. Despite search efforts, the wreckage of the plane could not be located. There were four fatalities presumed among the occupants, as no survivors were identified following the impact with the sea.

Findings

Because the debris from the crash remains unrecovered, investigators have been unable to confirm the specific sequence of mechanical failures. The exact reason for the structural separation of the tail remains undetermined due to the lack of physical evidence from the crash site.

Probable cause

The precise cause of the accident remains undetermined because the wreckage was never recovered.