# NTSB MIA84LA002: Cessna 172, N4860F, Miami, FL, October 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1983, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.779356, -80.200508 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7794&lon=-80.2005&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): 31046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31046/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA002

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, descent - normal
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (cause)
- Loss of engine power, descent - emergency
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE IN A DESCENDING SPIRAL THE PLT STATED THAT THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE. HE PROCEEDED TO TURN OFF THE ELECTRICAL MASTER SWITCH. SHORTLY AFT THE ENG FAILED AND THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN 480 FT OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4860F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4860F-1984-01-24), registration cancelled 1984-01-24, S/N 17273090 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273090
- Airframe hours: 2136
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John F. Whittle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 1983
- Departed: FXE, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: APF, NAPLES, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 205 total, 144 in this make and model, 138 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 7MB, 19 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 19831003053919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831003053919A), Oct 3, 1983: Cessna 172N, Miami, FL, Destroyed. Smoke filled cabin from under dash while circling over water at 500 feet. Engine quit. Ditched in ocean.

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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