# NTSB MIA89LA136: Cessna 152, N704XE, Miami, FL, April 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1989, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Location: 25.7743° N, 80.1937° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Miami, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7743&lon=-80.1937&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32428
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32428/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA136

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF A ROCKER SHAFT BOSS ON THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS CRUISING ALONG THE COASTLINE AT ABOUT 600 FT AGL, WHEN THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER & RUN ROUGH. A FORCED LDG WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE PLT REALIZED THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT POWER AVAIL TO SUSTAIN FLT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON ROUGH TERRAIN & NOSED OVER. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE ROCKER SHAFT BOSS ON THE #3 CYLINDER HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N704XE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704XE-2013-10-31), registration cancelled 2013-10-31, S/N 15078949, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078949
- Airframe hours: 4346
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Adf Airways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aquarius Rising Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 20, 1989, 15 hours before
- Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 125 total, 70 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 10 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 19890423009669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890423009669A), Apr 23, 1989: Cessna 150M, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Cylinder and valve assembly failed while flying below national parks minimum altitude. Nosed over landing on a key.

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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