Undetermined · NTSB CEN12FAMS1
PIPER PA-31-325 — Duluth, MN
| Date | June 8, 2012 |
| Location | Duluth, MN |
| Aircraft | PIPER PA-31-325 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Unknown Unknown or undetermined |
| Pilot age | 67 |
| Pilot total time | 17,570 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
Undetermined because the airplane was not found.
NTSB findings
- Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C
What happened
The airline transport-rated pilot departed in the twin-engine airplane for a maintenance flight to break in a new engine. The flight was expected to last about 4 hours. Radar track data indicated that the airplane departed the airport and proceeded north following the western shoreline of a lake. While following the shoreline, the airplane descended from about 2,800 to 1,600 ft, which was its last recorded position. When the airplane did not return on time, it was reported missing, and an extensive search was conducted. However, the airplane and pilot were not found.