# NTSB MIA90LA037: Cessna 172, N8785B, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), December 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1989, 13:48 local (17:48 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 2, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32606
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32606/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA037

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE SEIZED FROM OIL STARVATION (LACK OF OIL OR OIL PRESSURE), WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT BEING DITCHED AT SEA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing

## Analysis

DURING AN OVERWATER FLIGHT, ABOUT 20 MI SOUTHEAST OF MAYAGUANA ISLAND, THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO PSI. THE PLT TRANSMITTED A DISTRESS MESSAGE (MAYDAY), WHICH WAS FORWARDED TO THE COAST GUARD, & CONTINUED TOWARD THE ISLAND. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE ENG SEIZED & THE ACFT WAS DITCHED APPROXIMATELY 15 MI FROM SHORE. THE PLT & HIS PASSENGER EGRESSED FROM THE ACFT AS IT SANK & INFLATED THEIR LIFE JACKETS. THEY SAW SEVERAL COAST GUARD ACFT FLY OVER THEIR POSITION & THEY TRIED TO SIGNAL FOR HELP, BUT THEY WERE NOT SIGHTED. THEY SWAM TOWARD THE SHORE, BUT THE PASSENGER DIED BEFORE REACHING IT. AFTER REACHING THE BEACH THE NEXT DAY, THE PLT SAW FISHERMEN & WAS RESCUED. THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE OCEAN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8785B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8785B-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 36485, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36485
- Airframe hours: 2819
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gonzalez (Jr., Richard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1989, 20 hours before
- Departed: MBGT, GRAND TURK, OF
- Destination: MYEG, GEORGETOWN, OF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19891207049219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891207049219A), Dec 7, 1989: Cessna 172, Mayaguana Islan, Bahamas, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost oil pressure and engine seized. Ditched in atlantic ocean and sank. Passenger died on swim to an island.

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.