# NTSB MIA87LA182: Cessna 172G, N4346W, Caribbean Sea, June 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1987, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Caribbean Sea
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA182

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - navigation receiver - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT BECAME DISORIENTED WHILE FLYING FROM SAINT LUCIA TO SAINT VINCENT AFTER HE INCORRECTLY SELECTED THE WRONG STATION WHEN NAVIGATING USING THE ADF. HE CONTACTED ATC WHO ADVISED HIM TO CLIMB & WAS ADVISED THAT THE FLT WAS APRX 20 MILES WEST OF SAINT VINCENT. THE ENG THEN QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION & THE ACFT WAS DITCHED NEXT TO A VESSEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4346W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4346W-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 17254417, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254417
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger L. Barcus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1987, 7 hours before
- Departed: STX, ST. CROIX
- Destination: MKSV, ST. VINCENT, CB
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 132 total, 77 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STX, 301 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 19870613042689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870613042689A), Jun 13, 1987: Cessna 172G, Saint Vincent, VC, Substantial damage. The aircraft ditched in the ocean after running out of fuel. The pilot became disoriented and overshot destination.

## Other investigations on N4346W (2)

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 IAD71FLJ12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD71FLJ12), Jan 28, 1971: Cessna 172G (N4346W), Wilmington, NC, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW68F0045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0045), Jul 5, 1967: Cessna 172G (N4346W), Washington, OK, substantial damage

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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