At 16:45 Pacific time, a Piper PA-32-260 lost power after takeoff and was ditched into the Pacific Ocean about four miles south of Catalina Island. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The pilot reported the engine began making a rattling noise with a loss of engine power after takeoff. He was unable to return to the runway and landed in the ocean. The Catalina Island airport manager stated that a pilot reported hearing the accident airplane prior to departure and that the engine sounded terrible or strange.
Nov. 03, Avalon, Calif. / Piper Cherokee Six
At 16:45 Pacific time, a Piper PA-32-260 lost power after takeoff and was ditched into the Pacific Ocean about four miles south of Catalina Island. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The pilot reported the engine began making a rattling noise with a loss of engine power after takeoff. He was unable to return to the runway and landed in the ocean. The Catalina Island airport manager stated that a pilot reported hearing the accident airplane prior to departure and that the engine sounded terrible or strange....
Key Takeaways:
- A Piper PA-32-260 was safely ditched into the Pacific Ocean near Catalina Island after experiencing engine rattling and a loss of power shortly after takeoff.
- The pilot and two passengers were uninjured following the emergency landing at sea.
- Prior to departure, another pilot had reportedly observed the accident airplane's engine sounding "terrible or strange," indicating a potential pre-existing issue.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
