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| Date: | Sunday 19 June 1994 |
| Time: | 12:30 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-23-250 |
| Owner/operator: | Hermanos Al Rescate |
| Registration: | N5333Y |
| MSN: | 27-2410 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1963 |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-540-A1D5 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Atlantic Ocean, AO -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Survey |
| Departure airport: | Opa Locka, FL (KOPF) |
| Marathon, FL (KMTH) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The commercial pilot was conducting an aerial observation flight over the Atlantic Ocean looking for Cuban rafters. A boat was spotted with people waving as if they needed assistance. The pilot elected to make a low pass and drop a radio to the boat so they could communicate. The pilot descended to about 20 feet and collided with a mast on the boat. The pilot diverted to an airport and landed without further incident.
Probable Cause: The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a visual outlook and a safe altitude while making a low pass over a boat, resulting in an in-flight collision with the boat mast.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB MIA94LA161
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 15-Mar-2024 20:12 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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