MIA95FAMS2

While in contact with cancun, Mexico, approach control facility, the pilot advised the controller of a failure of the fuel system and the airplane was gliding. Radio and radar contact was lost when then the airplane was about 2,300 feet MSL, on the 066 degree radial and 45 DME from the cancun VOR. The airplane failed to arrive at the planned destination and an air and sea search was initiated with negative results. An auxiliary fuel tank was installed which by design transferred fuel using an electric pump to the right main fuel tank. There was no emergency backup system for the electric pump. A special flight permit was issued by the FAA for the flight and the operating limitations indicated that carriage of persons other than essential crew was prohibited. No significant adverse weather existed for the route of flight.

History of flight

On February 28, 1995, about 1112 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N25900, registered to Manuel E. Alcaine, was lost from radio and radar contact over the Caribbean Sea about 45 nautical miles northeast of Cancun, Mexico, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area and an IFR flight plan was filed and activated. The airplane has not been recovered and is presumed to be destroyed and the airline transport-rated pilot and one passenger have not been recovered and are presumed to be fatally injured. The flight originated from the Key West International Airport, Key West, Florida, about 0844.

On February 24, 1995, a special airworthiness certificate was issued by the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, FSDO, for the operation of the airplane in excess of the certificated maximum gross takeoff weight. The special flight permit indicated that a temporary auxiliary fuel tank was installed in the baggage compartment and the maximum fuel carried in the auxiliary tank must not exceed 26 gallons. The auxiliary fuel system by design transfers fuel to the right main fuel tank by the operation of an electric pump. The auxiliary fuel system did not have an emergency transfer system. The certificate was issued for the planned flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Cozumel Island, Mexico. The operating limitations indicated that the carriage of persons other than essential crew was prohibited.

On February 27, 1995, during fueling of the airplane at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a line service person observed that the right main fuel tank gauge indicated 1/2 when the tank was full. The pilot was advised of the gauge indication. The airplane was flown to Key West, Florida, and after landing, the auxiliary and left and right wing main fuel tanks were filled. The following morning at the pilot's request, about 10 gallons of fuel was drained from the auxiliary fuel tank. The pilot stated that he was concerned about weight. The accident pilot was then observed to fly the airplane once around the traffic pattern, then landed and boarded a female passenger.

The accident flight departed about 0844 eastern standard time from the Key West International Airport, Key West, Florida. At about 1106.52, the pilot advised the Cancun, Mexico, approach controller that the fuel system failed. About 1107.16, the approach controller advised the pilot that the flight was about 50 miles from the Cancun, Mexico, VOR on the 062-degree radial. About 1111.14, the pilot advised the controller that the flight was at 2,300 feet, gliding. About 1112.29, the pilot advised the approach controller that there wasn't enough time to put on the life preservers. The last radio transmission from the pilot was about 1112.36. The plane failed to arrive at the planned destination.

Personnel information

Information pertaining to the pilot is contained in the NTSB Factual-Report Aviation.

Aircraft information

Information pertaining to the airplane is contained in the NTSB Factual-Report Aviation.

Meteorological information

` According to deputy meteorologist in charge at the Miami, Florida, National Weather Service Office, there were no significant clouds or adverse weather in the vicinity of the destination airport. Review of satellite photographs for the intended route of flight revealed no significant clouds or adverse weather. Additionally, weather information is contained in the NTSB Factual-Report Aviation.

Communications

The pilot was in two-way VHF radio contact with the Cancun, Mexico, Approach Control Facility. The facility does not record radar data.

Wreckage and impact

The wreckage has not been recovered.

Additional information

According to the ICAO flight plan, the airplane was equipped with a two-four man life raft, two life jackets, and DME, transponder with altitude encoding. The planned route of flight was via the Fish Hook NDB direct to the Cozumel International Airport, Cozumel, Mexico.