# NTSB MIA91LA149: Cessna 172M, N73186, Missing (Atlantic Ocean), May 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1991, 14:32 local (18:32 UTC)
- Place: Missing (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32874/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA149

## Probable cause

THE LOSE OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED LANDING AND DITCHING IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED MARATHON, FLORIDA EN ROUTE TO HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA.  A VFR FLIGHT PLANE WAS FILED BUT NOT ACTIVATED. THE PLT REPORTED ON GUARD FREQUENCY 'I'VE GOT NO OIL PRESSURE, I'AM GOING TO DITCH'.   A SEARCH WAS INITIATED BY U.S. COAST GUARD AND TERMINATED 2 DAYS LATER.  THE PLT'S FLIGHT BAG WASHED ASHORE.  NO AIRPLANE WRECKAGE WAS SIGHTED.  THE PLT IS PRESUMED DEAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73186](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73186-1993-07-30), registration cancelled 1993-07-30, S/N 17267313 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267313
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Savco Flying
- Departed: MTH, MARATHON, FL
- Destination: HWO, HOLLYWOOD, FL
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 510 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MTH, 1 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 19910523017339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910523017339A), May 23, 1991: Cessna 172M, Islamorada, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Declared loss oil pressure and ditching in atlantic ocean. Pilots flight bag washed ashore. No other trace found.

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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