# NTSB NYC91LA096: Cessna 172N, N2899E, Bar Harbor, ME, March 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1991, 17:38 local (22:38 UTC)
- Place: Bar Harbor, ME
- Location: 44.3813° N, 68.2111° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bar Harbor, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3813&lon=-68.2111&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36896/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA096

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE LOST POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS APPROACHING HIS DESTINATION AND DESCENDING WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE APPLIED FULL THROTTLE WITH NO CHANGE. HE THEN ADDED CARBURETOR HEAT AND POWER WAS RESTORED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE, THEN POWER WAS LOST AGAIN. A DITCHING WAS MADE IN THE HARBOR. THE PILOT WAS NOT WEARING A SHOULDER HARNESS, BUT HE AND THE PASSENGER GOT OUT OF THE AIRPLANE AND CLUNG TO IT UNTIL THEY WERE RESCUED ABOUT 45 MIN LATER. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2899E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2899E-1994-11-01), registration cancelled 1994-11-01, S/N 17271367 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271367
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frenchmen'S Bay Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: BLM, BELLMAR, NJ
- Destination: BHB, BAR HARBOR, ME
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BHB, Bar Harbor

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,519 total, 2,429 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910330007929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910330007929A), Mar 30, 1991: Cessna 172N, Bar Harbor, ME, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach to destination. Ditched in bay. No engine defects. Conditions good for 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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