# NTSB LAX97LA087: Beech C24R, N18892, Santa Cruz Is., CA, January 10, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1997, 12:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: Santa Cruz Is., CA
- Coordinates: 34.190868, -119.169006 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1909&lon=-119.1690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA087

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Ditching, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the engine's power reduced to near idle while cruising at 9,300 feet msl over the Pacific Ocean.  This was accompanied by a tremendous engine related vibration.  There was no evidence of an oil leak, and the propeller continued to rotate.  The pilot further reported that he switched fuel tanks and checked the magnetos, but engine power was not restored.  The pilot ditched the airplane in the ocean and swam about 1/2 mile to shore.  There were no life preservers onboard.  The airplane has not been recovered.  The U.S. Coast Guard subsequently reported that the water's depth was about 192 feet.

## Factual narrative

On January 10, 1997, at 1225 hours Pacific standard time, a Beech C24R, N18892, operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power while cruising over the Pacific Ocean near the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, California.  The pilot ditched the airplane in the ocean.  It sank and has not been recovered.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The private pilot and passenger swam about 1/2 mile to the island and were subsequently rescued.  They were not injured.  The personal flight originated from Van Nuys, California, at 1145.

The pilot reported that during the flight, at 9,300 feet mean sea level, a "tremendous engine related vibration" began.  The pilot switched fuel tanks and checked the magnetos and mixture.  Only near idle engine power, about 13 inches of manifold pressure, was developed.  The propeller continued to rotate as altitude was lost.  There was no evidence of an oil leak.  The pilot declared an emergency and headed for the shoreline.  No life preservers were onboard.

The airplane's last estimated position was near 34 degrees 04 minutes north latitude, by 119 degrees 45 minutes west longitude.  The U.S. Coast Guard indicated that the airplane sank in approximate 192-foot-deep water.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18892](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18892-1997-08-19), registration cancelled 1997-08-19, S/N MC513 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech C24R
- Registry model: [Beech C24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c24r) (registry code 1151254) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC-513
- Airframe hours: 3700
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B5 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steven L. Levin
- Registered owner: Perry Aviation Limited
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1996, 160 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 185 total, 65 in this make and model, 130 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F

## 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 19970110000349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970110000349A), Jan 10, 1997: Beech C24R, Santa Cruz Isla, CA, Destroyed. Engine vibration power idled. Pitched in ocean near island. Sank. C24R not recovered.

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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