# NTSB MIA83FA174: Cessna 150L, N11539, Islamorada, FL, July 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1983, 20:15 local (Jul 4, 1983, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Islamorada, FL
- Coordinates: 24.919221, -80.629196 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.9192&lon=-80.6292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,oil grade - improper (cause)
  - aircraft service - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ENG QUIT AT ABOUT 1,000 FT AGL. ENG RESTART WAS UNSUCCESSFUL & THE ACFT DITCHED. TESTS INDICATED THAT THE FUEL WAS REGULAR AUTOMOTIVE LEADED FUEL WITH A MOTOR OCTANE NUMBER OF 87.3. THE LOGBOOKS SHOWED THAT THE STC FOR USE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL HAD NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11539](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11539-1984-08-06), registration cancelled 1984-08-06, S/N 15075501 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075501
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joy B. Carter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1982
- Departed: TAVERNIER, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,300 total, 120 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 68° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Observed at: USGC, 10 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 19830703027859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830703027859A), Jul 3, 1983: Cessna 150L, Islamorado, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft ditched in ocean after engine failure occurred. Automotive fuel being used.

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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