# Accident 20000624014139A: Cessna 172N, Atlanic Ocean, June 24, 2000

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 24, 2000, 08:15 local time
- Place: Atlanic Ocean
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft: N738WD, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738WD-2001-04-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172N (registry code 2072434, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Reported engine: LYC O320H2AD
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,350 total, 1,330 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL00LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA066) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000624014139A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON JUNE 24, 2000, AT 0815 EDT, CESSNA 172N, N738WD DITCHED INTO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN 35 MILES EAST OF FT LAUDERDALE, FL. A/C OPERATED UNDER PART 91 WITH VFR. NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED AND THE A/C SUNK TO 1,000 FT OF WATER. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE WAS FUELED PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE GRAND BAHAMAS, AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT CLIMBED 6500 FT APPROX 30 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT THE PILOT THEN DESCENDED TO 2500 FT. WHEN THE PILOT APPLIED THROTTLE FOLLOWING THE DESCENT, THERE WAS NO ENGINE RESPONSE. THE ENGINE REMAINED IN IDLE AND THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRPLANE NEAR A COMMERCIAL BOAT. ALL FOUR OCCUPANTS WERE RESCUED WITHOUT INJURIES. (.4)ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, ON THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRPLANE WAS FUELED WITH 10 GALLONS OF FUEL. HE STATED THAT THIS GAVE THE AIRPLANE A TOTAL OF 25 GALLONS PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE GRAND BAHAMAS. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT CLIMBED TO A CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 6500 FEET. APPROXIMATELY 42 NAUTICAL MILES OFF FREEPORT, HE BEGAN AN INITIAL DESCENT TO 4,500 FEET, THEN 3,500 FEET. WHEN THE PILOT APPLIED THROTTLE FOLLOWING THE DESCENT, THERE WAS NO E                                                        NGINE RESPONSE. THE ENGINE REMAINED AT IDLE AND THE PILOT DITCH THE AIRPLANE NEAR A COMMERICAL BOAT.  ALL FOUR OCCUPANTS WERE RESCUED WITHOUT INJURIES.  THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT RECOVERED, AND THEREFORE THE ENGINE WAS NOT EXAMINED.  WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE, AND CARBURETOR HEAT WAS NOT USED DURING THE DESCENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL00LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA066), Jun 24, 2000: Cessna 172N (N738WD), Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the pilot failed to use carburetor heat during the descent.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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