# NTSB MIA93LA162: Cessna 152, N6091M, St. Augustine, FL, July 24, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1993, 08:25 local (12:25 UTC)
- Place: St. Augustine, FL
- Coordinates: 29.890438, -81.310249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8904&lon=-81.3102&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 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA162

## Probable cause

A REPORTED PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING AND SUBSEQUENT DITCHING IN THE OCEAN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE CARBURETOR HEAT WAS TURNED ON AND AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM WAS NOTICED, FOLLOWED BY A DECREASE IN ENGINE RPM. THE PILOT CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING TO THE OCEAN ADJACENT TO THE BEACH. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY AND ACCESSORIES BY AN AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT MECHANIC WITH INSPECTION AUTHORITY REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRECRASH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE FOR THE REPORTED PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Factual narrative

On July 24, 1993, at about 0825 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6091M, registered to Phoenix East Aviation, Inc., experienced a drop in engine rpm while in cruise flight. The private pilot conducted a forced landing to the water adjacent to St. Augustine Beach. On touchdown the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Daytona Beach, Florida, about 25 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated he was in cruise flight at about 2000 feet agl when he experienced a decrease in engine rpm. The pilot notified Daytona Beach Approach Control of the situation and initiated the emergency procedures in the aircraft checklist. The carburetor heat was turned on, and an increase in engine rpm was noticed followed by a decrease in engine rpm. A forced landing was made to the ocean adjacent to the beach.

Examination of the engine assembly and accessories by an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authority revealed no evidence of a precrash failure or malfunction. No determination could be made for the reported partial loss of engine power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6091M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6091M-1993-10-26), registration cancelled 1993-10-26, S/N 15284618 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284618
- Airframe hours: 9239
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phoenix East Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Phoenix East Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 1993, 80 hours before
- Departed: DAB, DAYTONA BEACH, FL
- Destination: DAB

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 133 total, 90 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 20 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 19930724029039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930724029039A), Jul 24, 1993: Cessna 152, St Augustine, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power cruising off shore. Ditched in ocean. No engine defects found. Possible carburetor icing.

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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