Summary
On August 26, 1995, a Cessna 172 (N50860) was involved in an incident near Atlantic Ocean, AO. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE FAILURE OF THE OIL LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report MIA95LA216. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N50860.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE FAILURE OF THE OIL LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA95LA216