# NTSB MIA86LA111: Cessna 150J, N50845, Boca Raton, FL, April 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1986, 10:48 local (15:48 UTC)
- Place: Boca Raton, FL
- Coordinates: 26.339813, -80.079765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.3398&lon=-80.0798&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): 31595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31595/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - miscellaneous - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(total) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE FLT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE ACFT'S ENG WHILE FLYING PARALLEL TO THE BEACH AND THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AFTER RECOVERY REVEALED THE FOAM AIR CLEANER HAD BEEN DRAWN INTO THE CARBURETOR AIR BOX AND WAS BLOCKING THE AIR INTAKE TO THE CARBURETOR. THE PLASTIC AIR CLEANER RETAINING STRUCTURE WAS FOUND BROKEN AND APRX 70% OF IT WAS MISSING. A CHECK OF THE ACFT MAINTENANCE RECORDS REVEALED THE AIR CLEANER WAS INSTALLED IN 1980 AND THAT AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE TO CHANGE THE AIR CLEANER ELEMENT EVERY 12 MONTHS OR 100 HRS WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50845](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50845-1989-07-29), registration cancelled 1989-07-29, S/N 15069591 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069591
- Airframe hours: 6332
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John C. Calhoun
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1985, 45 hours before
- Departed: LNA, LANTANA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 13 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 15 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 19860404040569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860404040569A), Apr 4, 1986: Cessna 150J, Boca Raton, FL, Substantial damage. Ditched, nosed over after engine power loss. Air filter lodged in carburetor air box. Filter not changed as per AD.

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.