# Accident 20011222037309A: Cessna 2105A, Bimini, Bahamas, December 22, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 22, 2001, 11:18 local time
- Place: Bimini, Bahamas
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft: N55VX, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55VX-2002-02-27) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 210-5A(205A) (registry code 2073204, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5a-205a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental I0-470 series (registry code 17027, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 2105A
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL02WA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02WA022) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011222037309A

## Narrative

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

(.19) ON DECEMBER 22, 2001, AT 1118 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A CESSNA 205, N55VX, DITCHED 15 MILES OFF THE COAST OF BIMINI, BAHAMAS. THE PERSONAL FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED BY THE PRIVATE PILOT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CFR PART 91. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED; THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM MARATHON KEY, FLORIDA. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE WAS ON A SHORT FLIGHT FROM MARATHON KEY TO GREAT HARBOR, BAHAMAS AND BACK TO KENDALL TAMIAMI EXECUTIVE AIRPORT. THE PILOT STATED WHEN HE TOOK OFF FROM MARATHON KEY AIRPORT HE HAD 5 HOURS OF FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE. THE TRIP TO GREAT HARBOR FROM MARATHON WAS ESTIMATED AT 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES. AFTER TAKE-OFF FROM GREAT HARBOR, BAHAMAS, WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 4500 FEET, THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER. SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE SPUTTER, THE PROPELLER STOPPED. AFTER UNSUCCESSFULLY TRYING TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE PILOT RADIOED MAYDAY ON 121.5. THE PILOT THEN DITCHED THE AIRPLANE 15 MILES OFF OF THE COAST BIMINI. THE INVESTIGATION IS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BAHAMAS. ANY FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM: DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, P.O. BOX N-975, NASSAU, N.P., BAHAMAS, TELEPHONE: (809) 377-7281. THIS REPORT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND CONTAINS ONLY INFORMATION RELEASED BY THE BAHAMIAN GOVERNMENT. (-23) DEPARTED MYBG ON VFR FLIGHT PLAN. APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES WEST OF BIMINI ISLAND, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED TWICE AND THE PROPELLER STOPPED. DECLARED EMERGENCY ON 121.5. CONFIGURED AIRCRAFT FOR WATER LANDING. LANDED AIRCRAFT IN 6-8 FOOT SEAS. WITHIN 30 SECONDS AIRCRAFT WAS SWAMPED BY OCEAN. EGRESSED AIRCRAFT THROUGH MAIN CABIN DOOR. AIRCRAFT SUNK IN 30 FEET OF OCEAN. RESCUED BY COAST GUARD HELICOPTER.

## 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 ATL02WA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02WA022), Dec 22, 2001: Cessna C205 (N55VX), Bimini, Bahamas, substantial damage

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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