# NTSB MIA87LA087: Cessna 172 M, N20350, San Juan, PR, February 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1987, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: San Juan, PR
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA087

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT STATED THAT THE FLT WAS OVER SAN JUAN BAY APRX 2.5-3 MILES FROM THE ARPT AT APRX 700 FEET WHEN THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. THE ENG THEN QUIT. HOWEVER IT RESTARTED MOMENTARILY. REALIZING THE FLT WOULD NOT REACH THE ARPT THE ACFT WAS THEN DITCHED IN THE BAY APRX 15 FEET FROM SHORE IN APRX 4-5 FEET OF WATER. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE INTACT FUEL TANKS REVEALED THAT THEY DID NOT CONTAIN ENOUGH FUEL TO SUSTAIN ENGINE OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20350](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20350-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 17261213, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17261213
- Airframe hours: 5066
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: C & T Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 27, 1986, 80 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,134 total, 102 in this make and model, 1,098 as pilot in command, 216 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 8 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 19870219018709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870219018709A), Feb 19, 1987: Cessna 172M, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the aircraft ditched in a bay. The instructor failed to monitor fuel.

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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