# NTSB MIA00LA251: Ryan Navion A, N5117K, Daytona Bch Sh, FL, August 26, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 2000, 08:40 local (12:40 UTC) - Place: Daytona Bch Sh, FL - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50100 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50100/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA251 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons, that resulted in the aircraft being ditched. ## 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 (cause) - Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot stated that while he was in level flight at 1,000 feet the engine ceased operating, and he turned the aircraft toward the beach, "lined up with DBIA runway 27", and tried to restart the aircraft engine. He said he tried to restart the engine two times, but did not have any success, so he landed about 150 yards from the shore, in about 11 feet of water. The aircraft was recovered after about two days in the ocean, and an FAA inspector and a representative from the engine manufacturer conducted a postaccident examination of the aircraft. According to the inspector and the manufacturer's representative, the examination did not reveal any evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunctions. In addition, the NTSB examined the carburetor, electric boost fuel pump, and the engine driven fuel pump, and no anomalies were found. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 2000, about 0840 eastern daylight time, a Ryan Navion A, N5117K, registered to, and operated by Spruce Creek Fly-In Aviation Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, ditched into the ocean off Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, following a loss of engine power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage, and the private-rated pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. The flight originated in Spruce Creek, Florida, the same day, about 0815. The pilot stated that he had conducted a preflight inspection on the accident aircraft, and had taken off, proceeding north, paralleling the beach at 1,000 feet mean seal level (MSL). The pilot stated that when he was directly abeam Daytona Beach International Airports' east/west runway, the engine ceased operating, and he turned the aircraft toward the beach, "lined up with DBIA runway 27", and tried to restart the aircraft engine. He said he tried to restart the engine two times but did not have any success. According to the pilot, he then set himself up for, and executed a landing about 150 yards from the shore, in about 11 feet of water. Both passengers who were on board the aircraft stated that they had been airborne, and was proceeding north, about 1/2 mile off the coast, heading toward St. Augustine. The passengers further stated that without warning, the engine "lost" power, and the pilot established a glide, while attempting to restart the engine, using "throttle, carb heat, boost pumps and primer." According to the passengers, all attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, so pilot turned the aircraft toward the coast, and while avoiding nearby swimmers, executed a water landing. Several witnesses on the land and in the water stated that they observed the aircraft, and that its engine had not been operating during the glide and water landing. The aircraft had crashed off Daytona Beach Shores, in about 11 feet of water, and in contrast to the NTSB's request that it be recovered to the beach, promptly loaded, and removed to a secure facility for examination, local officials directed that the aircraft be towed several miles at sea, and be secured at the Coast Guard station instead. During maritime tow operations, the tow broke, and the aircraft sank in over 35 feet of water. The following day the aircraft was recovered to the Coast Guard station, after being in the ocean for about two days. An FAA inspector and a representative from the engine manufacturer examined the aircraft wreckage, and the examination revealed that the aircraft's empennage had separated from the main wreckage, and there had been additional damage to the wreckage as a result of towing operations. According to the inspector, the examination did not reveal the presence of any preexisting mechanical malfunction. The inspector retained the carburetor, electric boost fuel pump, and the engine driven fuel pump for further examination, and the examination, which was conducted by the NTSB, did not reveal any anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5117K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5117K-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N NAV-4-2017, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ryan NAVION A - Registry model: [Ryan NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion-a) (registry code 6150162) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NAV-4-2017 - Airframe hours: 2480 - Engines: Continental E-185-9 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Spruce Creek Fly-In Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2000, 20 hours before - Departed: 7FL6, SPRUCE CREEK, FL - Destination: SGJ, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 167 °F, dew point 162 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 5 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 20000826012999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000826012999A), Aug 26, 2000: Tmpson NAVIONA, Daytona Beach, FL, No damage. (-23) A/c lost engine power and landed in the ocean at Daytona Beach, FL. Preliminary inspection of a/c was accomplished on scene and at removal of the a/c… 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.