N7041Y

On June 30, 1994, about 0730 eastern daylight time a Piper PA-30, N7041Y, was destroyed after being ditched in the Atlantic Ocean near Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The pilot was not injured. The personal cross-country flight was being operated by William A. Dufour of Greenbelt, Maryland. The flight originated in Leonardtown, Maryland about 0630 and was destined for East Hampton, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan was filed, but not activated. The flight was being conducted under CFR 14 Part 91.

In a written statement submitted by the pilot, he stated,

...I had changed power settings several times and once again did so. With a lower noise level I could hear a faint clanging (like a tin cup banging on a table) from engine number 1. I increased RPM [power] and noise stopped for a few minutes. It started again, sounding much sharper (clearer) this time....I reduced power again, but the noise grew louder....The noise increased, and I could see the spinner shaking in reference to the cowling....Number 1 engine stopped with a big clunk sound and I could see the propeller was not feathered....I...could not maintain altitude....I attempted to restart number 1 engine. It seemed to just bang and grind....

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot further stated,

...Normal takeoff. Set different cruise settings....Number 1 engine started making noise after power change. Noise and vibration got stronger. Shut down number 1 [engine]. Propeller would not feather....prepared for ditching. Could not hold altitude or airspeed...[and] ditched. Got in raft. Saw [the] aircraft sink. Coast guard picked me up about an hour later. All log books were in aircraft....

According to the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the airplane came to rest in the Atlantic Ocean in approximately 200 feet of water. The airplane was not recovered.