Undetermined · NTSB CEN20LA021

Piper PA23 — Unknown, GM

1 fatal Night
DateOctober 17, 2019
LocationUnknown, GM
AircraftPiper PA23
Purpose of flightPersonal
ConditionsNight · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrenceUnknown Unknown or undetermined
Pilot age63
Pilot total timeUnknown
Time in typeUnknown
Fatalities1

Probable cause

The airplane’s descent into the ocean for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB findings

  • Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C

What happened

Flight track data showed the airplane take off, after which the airplane proceeded on a south heading toward its intended destination. The first portion of the flight was conducted at an altitude of about 15,000 ft msl. When the airplane was about 120 nm from the intended destination, it made a slight course correction to the right and descended to about 6,500 ft msl. About 2.75 hours into the flight, the airplane passed over its intended destination but made no course correction or altitude changes. The airplane continued out over the Gulf of Mexico for another 2.25 hours where the flight track ended. A search for the airplane was not successful.

The investigation could not determine the reason the airplane overflew the destination. The airplane was presumed to have impacted water in the Gulf of Mexico and the pilot was presumed fatally injured.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.

View the official NTSB docket →