# NTSB MIA87LA227: Cessna 182P, N1591M, Highland Beach, FL, August 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1987, 16:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: Highland Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.450883, -80.080665 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4509&lon=-80.0807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31953
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31953/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA227

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THEY WERE AT 1000 FT APRX 2 MILES OFF SHORE EN ROUTE TO PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER & THEY DITCHED THE ACFT IN THE OCEAN ABOUT 40 FT OFF THE BEACH. THE SALVAGE PERSONNEL STATED THAT THE LEFT WING CONTAINED APRX 10 -15 GALLONS OF FUEL & THE RIGHT WING CONTAINED ABOUT 5-10 GALLONS OF FUEL AT THE TIME THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE & FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST A PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE ACFT WAS OPERATING AT A TEMPERATURE AND DEWPOINT THAT IN REFERENCE TO PERFORMANCE CHARTS IS CONDUCIVE TO VISIBLE CARBURETOR ICING AT GLIDE AND CRUISE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1591M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1591M-1990-09-26), registration cancelled 1990-09-26, S/N 18264381 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18264381
- Airframe hours: 1444
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert D. Wood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 1986
- Departed: EYW, KEY WEST, FL
- Destination: PBI, WEST PALM BEACH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 530 total, 400 in this make and model, 460 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 12 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 19870820069369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870820069369A), Aug 20, 1987: Cessna 182P, Highland Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power and ditched the aircraft in the ocean. Found no evidence of engine failure. Suspect carburetor icing.

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.