# Incident 20150623009939I: Cessna 172RG, Shell Key, LA, June 23, 2015

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 23, 2015, 16:30 local time
- Place: Shell Key, LA
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft: N6519V, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6519V-2017-01-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172RG (registry code 2072438, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360 F1A6
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150623009939I

## Narrative

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

JUN 23, 2015-

AIRCRAFT WAS ON A FISH-SPOTTING MISSION IN NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO. PER COMPANY PERSONNEL, MISSION WAS APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS WHICH IS TYPICAL AND WITHIN FUEL ENDURANCE OF AIRCRAFT.

AT CONCLUSION OF MISSION, AFTER INITIATING A RETURN-TO-BASE, PILOT NOTIFIED COMPANY OVER COMPANY RADIO THAT ENGINE WAS PRODUCING SMOKE HAD QUIT, BUT RESTARTED. BEFORE COMPANY PERSONNEL COULD ASCERTAIN IF SMOKE WAS IN OR OUT OF COCKPIT, ENGINE QUIT AGAIN AND PILOT DITCHED AIRCRAFT.

2131Z (1631CDT) ATC RECEIVED RELAY THAT AIRCRAFT WAS BROADCASTING ON GUARD THAT ANOTHER AIRCRAFT HAD DITCHED AND PILOT WAS IN WATER IN RAFT. COORDINATES RELAYED TO ZHU. NOTIFICATION INITIATED TO USCG, ROC, DEN, RCC.

2144Z ZHU RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT PILOT HAD BEEN RESCUED BY PASSING BOAT.

AIRCRAFT SANK INTO THE GULF IN APPROXIMATELY 14 FEET OF WATER. SUBSEQUENT EFFORTS TO LOCATE AND RECOVER FAILED.

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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