# NTSB MIA84FA169: Cessna 152, N68760, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), May 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1984, 18:51 local (22:51 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA169

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS ON THE 3RD LEG OF A SOLO, X-COUNTRY FLT. ON THE 2ND LEG, HE ASKED FOR A DF STEER TO REACH THE ARPT. DURING LUNCH, HE DISCUSSED THE SITUATION WITH HIS INSTRUCTOR, WHO WAS AT THE ARPT WITH ANOTHER STUDENT. THE SOLO STUDENT DEPARTED AT 1455 EDT, EN ROUTE FROM VERO BEACH TO OPA-LOCKA. AT ABOUT 1620, HE CALLED PALM BEACH TOWER TO REPORT THAT HE WAS LOST OVER WATER. FOR AN HOUR & A HALF, GROUND & AIR PARTIES TRIED TO LOCATE HIM, BUT THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. AT ABOUT 1847, THE PLT STATED ON THE RADIO THAT HE HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL & WAS DITCHING. AT ABOUT 1851, A BRITISH AIRCREW MADE CONTACT WITH THE PLT WHO STATED THAT HE WAS IN THE WATER & ASKED WHAT HE SHOULD DO. HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO EXIT THE ACFT & USE THE SEAT CUSHI0NS FOR FLOTATION. NO FURTHER CONTACT WAS ESTABLISHED. THE SEARCH WAS SUSPENDED ON 5/27/84. THE PLT INJURY & ACFT DAMAGE ARE PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N68760 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282361
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Airway Charters Ltd Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 8, 1984
- Departed: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL
- Destination: OPF, OPA-LOCKA, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA

## 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 19840522045879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840522045879A), May 22, 1984: Cessna 152, Atlantic Ocean, FL, Destroyed. Student became lost over Ocean. Ran out of fuel and ditched. ATC and others tried to help. Wreckage 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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