# NTSB ATL97LA037: Cessna 152, N67544, Key West, FL, February 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 6, 1997, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Key West, FL - Coordinates: 24.550132, -81.779518 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5501&lon=-81.7795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3819 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3819/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA037 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the abrupt maneuver that resulted in an aerodynamic stall. A factor was the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Abrupt maneuver, descent - emergency - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis After departing and climbing to a cruise altitude of 1500 feet msl, the engine gradually lost power. The pilot stated he chose that altitude because of cloud ceiling. He did not indicate his distance from the ceiling, however, the local airport indicated a scattered layer of clouds at 2500 feet. According to the pilot, during the ensuing forced landing, he saw power lines appear in front of him. He pulled up abruptly to avoid the wires, stalled the airplane, then impacted the water. A reason for the engine power loss was not found during it's subsequent examination. The ambient conditions on the surface were not conducive to carburetor icing. ## Factual narrative On February 6, 1997, about 1645 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N67544, collided with the water during a forced landing at Key West, Florida. The airplane was operated by Ambassador Airways under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight to Naples, Florida. There were no injuries to the private pilot, the only occupant, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was the Key West International Airport, Key West, Florida, at an undetermined time, on the same day. According to the pilot, after departing Key West and leveling at 1,500 feet for cruise, because of a cloud ceiling, the engine power gradually reduced. There was no sputtering nor misfiring of the engine. He stated he applied carburetor heat, checked the fuel selector valve, ensured the mixture was rich, and checked that both magnetos were selected, with no results. A forced landing was attempted to the Key West Naval Air Station. During the landing attempt, the pilot suddenly saw wires in his flight path that he maneuvered abruptly to avoid, then the airplane collided with the water. The pilot also stated that prior to departure, he checked fuel from the gascolator and the tanks' low point drains. No contamination was discovered. After the airplane was removed from the water and examined, the fuel system was found compromised, and the carburetor broken open. The gascolator was found with both fuel and water in it. Ambient conditions on the surface were not suitable for the formation of carburetor icing, ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67544](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67544-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 15281903, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15281903 - Airframe hours: 7246 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ambassador Airways - Registered owner: Stetson Air, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 1996, 27 hours before - Departed: EYF - Destination: APF, NAPLES, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 88 total, 60 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: NQX, 2 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 19970206001279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970206001279A), Feb 6, 1997: Cessna 152, Key West, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power leveling en route. Tried land at nas. Saw wires. Dive to miss into gulf. Water found in gasculator. (-23) aircraft was VFR enroute from Key West to… ## Other investigations on N67544 (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 MKC83LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA198), Aug 22, 1983: Cessna C-152 (N67544), Kansas City, MO, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.