# NTSB MIA83LA090: Cessna 402C, N26506, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, March 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1983, 12:46 local (17:46 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Coordinates: 26.089246, -80.150276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0892&lon=-80.1503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA090

## 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,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - erratic (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN FOLLOWING ENGINE FAILURE. THE PILOT ESTAMATED FUEL ON BOARD DURING PRE-FLIGHTFROM THE ELECTRONIC FUEL GAUGES. THE ACFT FLEW 2 HRS AND 16 MINUTES BEFORE THE ENGINES QUIT IN A MODE OF FUEL EXHAUSTIONWITH SURGING PRIOR TO STOPPING. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION USING FUEL SLIPS REVEALED A FUEL BURN WITHIN 10 TO 15 GALS OF FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE FUEL GAUGES FAILED ON THE LAST LEG OF THE FLT AND THE PASSENGERS STATED THE PILOT PAID A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THESE GAUGES. THE PILOT WANTED TO DIVERT TO FREEPORT BUT DID NOT BECAUSE THE WEATHER WAS BELOW MINIMUMS. AFTER DITCHING THE ACFT SANK IN 800 FEET OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26506](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26506-1984-07-11), registration cancelled 1984-07-11, S/N 402C0340 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402C
- Registry model: [Cessna 402C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402c) (registry code 207590R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402CO340
- Airframe hours: 2051
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Aero Coach Aviation Int'L.
- Registered owner: James G. Creagh
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 8, 1983, 2 hours before
- Departed: MYAT, TREASURE CAY
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,999 total, 190 in this make and model, 2,591 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLL, 7 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 19830309006979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830309006979A), Mar 9, 1983: Cessna 402CESSNA, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Destroyed. Both engines quit over ocean. One shortly after other. Ditched and rescued. Aircraft sank. Possible fuel problem.

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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