# NTSB MIA87LA042: Cessna T210L, N130LJ, Miami, FL, December 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1986, 19:05 local (Dec 6, 1986, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.680332, -80.16053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.6803&lon=-80.1605&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): 31832
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31832/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA042

## 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
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENG LOST POWER WHILE THE ACFT WAS IN CRUISE FLT AT 6000' OVER THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, APRX 6 HRS & 32 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF.SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN THE OCEAN WHEN THE ENG COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE ACFT THEN SANK & WAS NOT RECOVERED. CALCULATIONS REVEALED APRX 16 GAL OF FUEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMAINING AT THE TIME THE ENG LOST POWER. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH ADDITIONAL FUEL TANKS WHICH PROVIDED AN EXTRA 33 GAL OF FUEL. THE PLT WAS RESCUED BY THE COAST GUARD APRX 2.5 HRS AFTER THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N130LJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N130LJ-2012-10-11), registration cancelled 2012-10-11, S/N 21061530 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21061530
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-H 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Keith J. French
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 1986, 75 hours before
- Departed: SXM, ST. MAARTEN, OF
- Destination: MIA, MIAMI, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,600 total, 6 in this make and model, 3,390 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 20 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 19861205064779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861205064779A), Dec 5, 1986: Cessna T210L, Miami, FL, Destroyed. The engine failed and the aircraft ditched in the ocean. Suspect fuel exhaustion or 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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