Piper PA-32-260 accident near Newburyport, Massachusetts, August 22, 1992
On August 22, 1992 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-32-260, registered N3985W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Newburyport, Massachusetts. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 22, 1992 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Newburyport, Massachusetts
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-260 · all PA-32-260s on the register
- Registration
- N3985W · no longer on the register · serial 32-956
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS CRUISING 200 FEET OFFSHORE AT ABOUT 75 FEET ABOVE THE OCEAN, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT SAID HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE DITCHING IN THE OCEAN. THE AIRPLANE SANK IN ABOUT 45 FEET OF WATER. THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT FLOWN IN OVER 2 YEARS, AND THE PILOT HAD NOT HAD THE AIRPLANE INSPECTED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ABOUT 5 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE FAA EXAMIONATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT DISLCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANCIAL MALFUNCTION.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,030 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 13, 1987
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7B3 Hampton NH at 7:10 pm
- Destination: BV4 Beverly MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.