# NTSB ATL00LA066: Cessna 172N, N738WD, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), June 24, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 2000, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49506/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA066

## Probable cause

Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the pilot failed to use carburetor heat during the descent.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Ditching, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

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 engine response. The engine remained at idle and the pilot ditched the airplane near a commercial 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.

## Factual narrative

On June 24, 2000, at 0815 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N738WD, ditched in the Atlantic Ocean 35 miles east of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, following a loss of engine power. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot, a pilot-rated passenger, and two other passengers were not injured and the airplane sank into about 1,000 feet of water and substantial damage is assumed. The flight originated from the Grand Bahamas Islands at 0720.

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 engine response. The engine remained at idle and the pilot ditched the airplane near a commercial 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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738WD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738WD-2001-04-24), registration cancelled 2001-04-24, S/N 17270287 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270287
- Airframe hours: 9851
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter V. Skobin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 2000, 40 hours before
- Departed: MYGF, BAHAMAS, OF
- Destination: FXE, FT LAUDERDALE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,350 total, 1,330 in this make and model, 1,337 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLL, 35 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20000624014139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000624014139A), Jun 24, 2000: Cessna 172N, Atlanic Ocean, Destroyed. (-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…

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.

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