# NTSB MIA88LA131: Cessna 172N, N739DQ, Key West, FL, March 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1988, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Key West, FL
- Coordinates: 24.550073, -81.779701 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5501&lon=-81.7797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32154
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32154/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA131

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
- Ditching, landing

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT HE WAS ON A FISH SPOTTING FLIGHT. THE ACFT LOST POWER. THE PLT DITCHED IN THE OCEAN. HE WAS PICKED UP BY A PASSING BOAT & TAKEN TO KEY WEST, FL. HE STATED THAT DUE TO THE PAST HISTORY OF THIS ACFT, HIS OPINION WAS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS WAS A FAILURE OF THE MAGNETOS. THE ACFT WAS NOT RECOVERED, THEREFORE, THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE EXAMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739DQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739DQ-1989-09-15), registration cancelled 1989-09-15, S/N 17270464 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270464
- Airframe hours: 3104
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond Berard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1987, 165 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,203 total, 2,203 in this make and model, 4,121 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 11 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 19880327009849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880327009849A), Mar 27, 1988: Cessna 172N, Key West, FL, Destroyed. Lost power and ditched in ocean while spotting fish. Picked up by boat. Plane sank. Pilot suspects magneto problem.

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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