# NTSB MIA85LA230: Cessna 177, N30232, Vieques, PR, August 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1985, 18:39 local (22:39 UTC)
- Place: Vieques, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31441
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31441/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA230

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE CFI AND STUDENT PLT UTILIZED A HOMEMADE DIPSTICK TO CHECK THE FUEL TANKS & DETERMINED THEY HAD ABOUT 8 GALS OF FUEL IN THE TANKS. ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG FAILED AND ALL RESTART ATTEMPTS WERE NEGATIVE. THE ACFT WAS DITCHEDIN ABOUT 25 FT OF WATER AND NOT RECOVERED. THE PLT BROADCAST A 'MAYDAY' PRIOR TO IMPACT & A MILITARY HELICOPTER RECOVERED THE OCCUPANTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30232](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30232-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 17701137, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701137
- Airframe hours: 1365
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Victor Arocho
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1985
- Departed: MJFA, FAJARDO, PR
- Destination: MJVQ, VIEQUES, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,935 total, 31 in this make and model, 2,715 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MNRR, 12 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 19850812041989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850812041989A), Aug 12, 1985: Cessna 177, Vieques, PR, Destroyed. Flight originated with estimated 8 gallons of fuel. Ditched after engine quit from fuel starvation.

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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