# NTSB BFO91LA077: Cessna 150, N3303V, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), August 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1991, 13:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Coordinates: 38.349269, -75.129875 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3493&lon=-75.1299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11701
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11701/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA077

## Probable cause

THE PILOT BECAME LOST OVER THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND FLEW UNTIL THE FUEL SUPPLY WAS EXHAUSTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT MISSED SEVERAL KEY LANDMARKS ON A SUPERVISED SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. AFTER BECOMING DISORIENTED, HE FLEW EAST FROM THE MOUTH OF CHESAPEAKE BAY OUT TO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. SIXTY MILES EAST OF THE ATLANTIC OCASTLINE, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PILOT SUCCESSFULLY DITCHED IN THE OCEAN, WHERE HE WAS RESCUED BY PERSONNEL ON A PLEASURE BOAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3303V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3303V-1992-03-10), registration cancelled 1992-03-10, S/N 15076455 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15076455
- Engines: LYCOMING O-200-A 105 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Journey Aviation
- Registered owner: Journey Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000
- Departed: W29, STEVENSVILLE, MD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: AO, Atlantic Ocean

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 43 total, 20 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF, 80 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 19910829037489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910829037489A), Aug 29, 1991: Cessna 150M, Ocean City, MD, Destroyed. Became disoriented on solo crosscountry. Flew east over Ocean looking for land. Ran out of fuel and ditched.

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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