# NTSB MIA83LA108: Cessna 182 RG, N55AG, Palm Beach, FL, March 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1983, 20:00 local (Mar 31, 1983, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Palm Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.660362, -80.089935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6604&lon=-80.0899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA108

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DITCHED IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN 5 MILES EAST OF PALM BEACH FL AFTER AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE PILOT SAID HE DEPARTED BOCA RATON AT 1950 EST. A FEW MINUTES LATER HE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE. ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER THE ENGINE QUIT. HE TRIED A RESTART WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND DITCHED THE ACFT IN THE OCEAN WATER WHERE HE WAS RESCUED BY A FISHING BOAT. THE ACFT SANK AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55AG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55AG-1983-06-23), registration cancelled 1983-06-23, S/N R18200034 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 RG
- Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R-182000034
- Airframe hours: 2550
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Atlantic Aero Inc.
- Registered owner: John E. Godwin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 1983, 50 hours before
- Departed: BCT, BOCA RATON, FL
- Destination: FT. PIERCE, FL
- Airport: PBI, West Palm Beach

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 100 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19830330013039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830330013039A), Mar 30, 1983: Cessna R182, Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed. Electric fire and failure enroute. Then engine quit. Ditched at sea. Aircraft sank. 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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