# NTSB MIA85LA124: Cessna 172, N1814Y, Big Pine Key, FL, March 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1985, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Big Pine Key, FL
- Coordinates: 24.670696, -81.349327 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.6707&lon=-81.3493&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): 31371
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31371/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA124

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT ABOUT 1200 FT & 2300 RPM THE ENG LOST PWR & THE ACFT WAS DITCHED APRX 100 YARDS OFF SHORE IN THE OCEAN WATERS. THE ACFT WAS FOUND TO HAVE SUFFICIENT FUEL IN BOTH TANKS. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON, THE FUEL SCREEN WAS CLEAN & FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL. THE IGNITION SYSTEM WAS INTACT & DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENG SHOWS NO EVIDENCE OF INTERNAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE ACFT WAS OPERATING AT A POWER SETTING & ALT THAT IN REFERENCE TO PERFORMANCE CHARTS FOR TEMP & HUMIDITY IS CONDUSIVE TO CARBURETOR VENTURI ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1814Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1814Y-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N 17249414, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249414
- Airframe hours: 1370
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James E. Allen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1984
- Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL
- Destination: EYW, KEY WEST, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 124 total, 86 in this make and model, 101 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 40 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 19850317007439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850317007439A), Mar 17, 1985: Cessna 172C, Big Pine Key, FL, Substantial damage. Lost engine power during cruise,ditched in water. Power setting,altitude and humidity conducive to carburetor ice.

## Other investigations on N1814Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA05LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05LA158), Sep 16, 2005: Cessna 172C (N1814Y), Saint Cloud, FL, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain the airspeed while maneuvering following loss of engine power resulting in a stall/mush, an uncontrolled descent, and collision with trees and the ground.

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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