# NTSB MIA87LA215: Cessna 172M, N61897, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), July 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1987, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA215

## 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, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS APRX 43 MILES WEST-NORTHWEST OF FREEPORT, BAHAMAS, EN ROUTE TO FORT LAUDERDALE, FL WHEN THE PLT OBSERVED THEENGINE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE INDICATING ZERO PRESSURE. HE REVERSED COURSE BACK TO FREEPORT, CONTACTED MIAMI RADIO AND GAVE HIS LOCATION. THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. THE ACFT HAS NOT BEEN RECOVERED. NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61897](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61897-2015-04-27), registration cancelled 2015-04-27, S/N 17264877, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- 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: 17264877
- Airframe hours: 2420
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lots,Inc.
- Registered owner: Lots Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ZFP, FREEPORT, BH, OF
- Destination: FLL, FT.LAUDERDALE, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 11,741 total, 206 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ZFP, 38 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 19870726076659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870726076659A), Jul 26, 1987: Cessna 172M, Atlantic Ocean, FL, Destroyed. Engine quit at cruise altitude over the Atlantic Ocean. Ditched in Ocean. Aircraft sank. Cause undetermined.

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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