# NTSB NYC03LA109: Cessna 175A, N6989E, Ocean City, NJ, May 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 2003, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Ocean City, NJ - Coordinates: 39.26361, -74.607498 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2636&lon=-74.6075&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-17 - NTSB case key (mKey): 57018 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57018/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA109 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis During the initial climb, about 800 feet msl, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot made a 180-degree turn back toward the airport, but was unable to maintain altitude. He ditched the airplane in shallow water about 2 miles south of the airport. The pilot stated that it was possible that the airplane's single fuel vent was obstructed, which resulted in the power loss. Examination of the wreckage revealed that both fuel tanks contained fuel, and the fuel vent was not blocked. Examination of the engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Thumb compression and valve train continuity were obtained, and the engine initially started. However, it did not continue to run. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2003, about 1220 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 175A, N6989E, was substantially damaged while ditching in the Atlantic Ocean, following a loss of engine power after takeoff from Ocean City Municipal Airport (26N), Ocean City, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned flight to Cape May County Airport (WWD), Wildwood, New Jersey. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that during the initial climb, about 800 feet msl, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot made a 180-degree turn back toward the airport, but was unable to maintain altitude. He ditched the airplane in shallow water near the coast, about 2 miles south of the airport. The pilot further stated that it was possible that the airplane's single fuel vent was obstructed, which resulted in the power loss. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the left wing and fuselage. He also observed fuel in both fuel tanks. The inspector stated that he examined fuel vent and did not find any blockage. The FAA inspector, with assistance of an aircraft recovery company, drained water from the carburetor. He also drained and replaced the engine oil; removed, cleaned, and reinstalled all spark plugs; and rotated the crankshaft. The inspector attained thumb compression on all cylinders and confirmed crankshaft, camshaft, and valve train continuity. However, the engine would not start. Subsequently, the carburetor was inspected and no discrepancies were noted. Both magnetos were inspected, and the left magneto was subsequently cleaned. On the second attempted, the engine "fired," but did not run. The inspector could not determine why the engine experienced a partial loss of power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6989E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6989E-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 56489, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 175A - Registry model: [Cessna 175A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175a) (registry code 2072504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 56489 - Airframe hours: 1200 - Engines: Continental O300G 175 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph M. Bennis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 2002, 30 hours before - Departed: 26N, Ocean City, NJ - Destination: WWD, Cape May, NJ - Airport: 26N, Ocean City Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 3, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 7,675 total, 145 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: ACY, 12 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 20030519017629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030519017629A), May 19, 2003: Cessna 175A, Ocean City, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated: on downwind leg to landing at Ocean City, NJ airport (26N), engine started to run rough, then stopped. Efforts to restart failed. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.