# NTSB MIA95LA216: Cessna 172, N50860, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), August 26, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1995, 19:33 local (23:33 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA216

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE OIL LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system - failure (cause)
  - lubricating system - undetermined
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Ditching, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WHILE OVER THE OCEAN ABOUT 35 MILES EAST OF THE DESTINATION OF WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA. HE INITIATED A GLIDE AND PREPARED FOR DITCHING. JUST BEFORE IMPACT HE NOTED OIL ON THE WINDSHIELD AND COWLING. AFTER DITCHING HE EXITED THE AIRPLANE, INFLATED HIS LIFEVEST, AND WAS RESCUED SHORTLY THEREAFTER.

## Factual narrative

On August 26, 1995, about 1933 eastern daylight time, N50860, a Cessna 172, ditched about 35 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida, in the Atlantic Ocean while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The airline transport-rated pilot reported no injuries. The airplane sank and has not been recovered and is presumed to be destroyed. The flight originated from Freeport, Bahamas, about 1 hour earlier.

The pilot stated that the engine began to run rough and a partial power loss was experienced. As the pilot was attempting to ditch the airplane he noted oil on the windshield and cowling. He radioed his position and ditched the airplane. He exited the airplane and inflated a survival vest. A commuter airplane observed the ditching and circled overhead until a rescue was completed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50860](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50860-1998-11-05), registration cancelled 1998-11-05, S/N 17274227 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 74227
- Airframe hours: 7056
- Engines: LYCOMING O320-D2J reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter T. Tanner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1995, 67 hours before
- Departed: MYGF, FREEPORT, OF
- Destination: PBI, WEST PALM BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,130 total, 600 in this make and model, 85 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 24 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 19950826025999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950826025999A), Aug 26, 1995: Cessna 172P, West Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed. Power loss oil on windshield. Ditched in ocean. Inflated life vest. Was rescued. Aircraft sank.

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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