# NTSB MIA83LA230: Cessna C-150, N11207, Culebra Island, PR, September 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1983, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Culebra Island, PR
- 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): 30938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA230

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE ON HIS LONG CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE PWR. HE THEN FELT A VIBRATION AND THE PROP STOPPED  THE ACFT WAS DITCHED NEAR THE SHORE OF CULEBRA ISLAND. IT WAS CALCULATED THAT THE ACFT FLEW ABT 3 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES. ENDURANCE CHARTS IN THE OPERATING HANDBOOK INDICATE THAT UNDER STD CONDITIONS AT 75% PWR THE ACFT WILL FLY FOR 3 AND ONE-HALF HOURS WITH 2.6 GALLONS LEFT FOR RESERVE PROVIDED THE MIXTURE IS PROPERLY LEANED AT CRUISE

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11207](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11207-1984-06-15), registration cancelled 1984-06-15, S/N 15075254 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075254
- Airframe hours: 8164
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Isla Grande Flying Schooling
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1983, 90 hours before
- Departed: MIST, ST. THOMAS
- Destination: MVOS, VIEQUES ISLAND, PR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 58 total, 58 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIST, 30 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 19830912048559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830912048559A), Sep 12, 1983: Cessna 150L, Bulebra Island, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Ditched in ocean. Student failed to refuel on solo crosscountry flight. Flew fuel range hours.

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.