# NTSB MIA91LA192: Cessna 150M, N6088K, Caribbean Sea, July 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1991, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Caribbean Sea
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA192

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLACEMENT OF THE BOOST PUMP SELECTOR BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THIS RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fuel boost pump selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system - failure,total (cause)
  - electrical system - undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE FLT DEPARTED USING FUEL FROM THE MAIN FUEL TANKS TO SUPPLY THE ENG AND CLIMBED TO ALT.  THE PLT THEN UTILIZED THE FUEL FROM THE ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN AUX FUEL SYS BUT STATED THAT THE ENG QUIT 1 HR 15 MINUTES LATER. HE DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYS AND FUEL FROM THE MAIN TANKS WAS THEN USED TO SUPPLY THE ENG. THE ENG WAS RESTARTED.  THE FLT DIVERTED TO AN ALTERNATE AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO SUPPLY FUEL TO THE ENG FROM THE AUX FUEL TANK BY TURNING ON THE SHUTOFF VALVE AND BOTH FUEL PUMPS BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE ENG EVENTUALLY QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION IN THE MAIN FUEL TANKS.  HE DITCHED THE ACFT NEAR AN ISLAND, SWAM TO IT, AND WAS RESCUED 26 HRS LATER. THE ACFT WAS NOT RECOVERED.  HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THAT THE FUEL PUMPS OVERLOADED THE ELECTRICAL SYS BUT IN RETROSPECT BELIEVES THE ALTERNATOR FAILED.  THE AUX FUEL SYS INCORPORATES TWO ELECTRIC PUMPS BUT ONLY ONE IS TO BE USED FOR NORMAL OPERATION.  THE SECOND PUMP IS TO BE USED ONLY FOR A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE FIRST PUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6088K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6088K-1991-07-30), registration cancelled 1991-07-30, S/N 15077519 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15077519
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Taxi, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aero Taxi, Inc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: MWCR, GRAND CAYMAN, OF
- Destination: MPTO, PANAMA CITY, OF
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 275 total, 14 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19910727062829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910727062829A), Jul 27, 1991: Cessna 150M, Puerto Cabezas, NU, Destroyed. Electric pump system for ferry tank failed. Exhausted fuel from main tanks,unable alternate due weather. Ditched.

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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