N57880
PIPER PA-36-300
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD JUST CHANGED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE HOPPER TANK AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR BACK TO THE MAIN TANK BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE THE ENGINE. HE DITCHED THE AIRPLANE AND WAS PICKED UP BY A PASSING BOAT. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT RECOVERED.
On June 24, 1995, about 0930 eastern daylight time, N57880, a Piper PA-36-300, registered to Cooperativa de Elet LTDA, ditched in the Atlantic Ocean, about 35 miles east of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sank and is presumed to be destroyed and the pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Fort Lauderdale, about 0855 the same day. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to ferry the airplane to Brazil, and his first destination was Bimini, Bahamas. He stated he had just changed the fuel selector to the hopper tank and the engine failed. He switched the fuel selector back to the main tank and attempted to restart the engine with negative results. He then ditched the airplane, exited, and was picked up by a passing boat. Multiple requests for a Pilot/ Operators Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 were made with negative results.
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON(S).
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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