# NTSB MIA82DA134: Cessna 337, N6359F, Near Stuart, FL, June 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1982, 13:12 local (17:12 UTC)
- Place: Near Stuart, FL
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71939
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82DA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71939/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA134

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, landing - flare/touchdown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE AN UNEVENTFUL FLIGHT FROM GAINSVILLE TO SEBRING, FL WHERE 3 PASSENGERS WERE DEPLANED. HE THEN DEPARTED ON A VFR FLIGHT TO FREEPORT ON THE GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND. THE PILOT STATED THE HE HAD PROCEEDED ABOUT 30 MILES EAST OF THE FLORIDA COAST WHEN THE REAR ENGINE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. HE TURNED BACK TOWARD THE COAST, BUT THE FRONT ENGINE ALSO BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION, SO HE ELECTED TO DITCH THE AIRCRAFT NEAR A BOAT. WHILE DITCHING, HE RECEIVED SERIOUS BACK INJURIES. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD DRAINED ABOUT ONE QUART OF WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM PRIOR TO DEPARTING GAINSVILLE. HE ATTRIBUTED THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS TO FUEL CONTAMINATION. HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT VERIFIED SINCE THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN OCEAN WATERS AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6359F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6359F-1984-06-20), registration cancelled 1984-06-20, S/N 337-0359 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337
- Registry model: [Cessna 337A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337a) (registry code 2075704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337-0359
- Airframe hours: 1650
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas H. Tonnelier
- Registered owner: Thomas H. Tonnelier
- Departed: SEBRING, FL
- Destination: FREEPORT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 250 total, 200 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 194 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820619023289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820619023289A), Jun 19, 1982: Cessna 337A, Stuart, FL, Destroyed. Both engines malfunctioned over ocean and pilot ditched. Pilot attributed engine failure to fuel contamination.

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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