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NTSB Report
November 17, 1990 · Cessna 172P · N51101
Atlantic Ocean, AO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 17, 1990
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Atlantic Ocean, AO
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N51101
Operator
Hodge Cleophas U
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA91LA027
THE PLT BECAME LOST. HE CIRCLED A SHIP & DUE TO A LOW FUEL SUPPLY, DITCHED THE ACFT. THE PLT & ONE PASSENGER WERE NOT RECOVERED. TWO PASSENGERS WERE RESCUED BY THE SHIP. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS STATED THAT THE PLT NEVER INFORMED THEM THAT HE WAS LOST BUT HE WAS HAVING COMPASS PROBLEMS & WAS FRANTICALLY LOOKING AT CHARTS. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH TWO VOR RECEIVERS & ONE ADF. THERE WERE NO NOTAMS LISTED FOR THE VOR OR NDB NAVIGATIONAL AIDS AT THE DESTINATION ARPT. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A FOUR MAN LIFE RAFT & FOUR LIFE VESTS BUT ONE OF THE PASSENGERS INFLATED THE LIFE RAFT BEFORE DITCHING. HE PUNCTURED IT TO REGAIN SPACE. THE LIFE VESTS WERE NOT LOCATED BY THE OCCUPANTS.
NTSB Probable Cause
DELAY OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN ASSISTANCE AND, AS A RESULT, HE DITCHED THE AIRPLANE NEAR A BOAT DUE TO A LOW FUEL SUPPLY.
Full Narrative
THE PLT BECAME LOST. HE CIRCLED A SHIP & DUE TO A LOW FUEL SUPPLY, DITCHED THE ACFT. THE PLT & ONE PASSENGER WERE NOT RECOVERED. TWO PASSENGERS WERE RESCUED BY THE SHIP. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS STATED THAT THE PLT NEVER INFORMED THEM THAT HE WAS LOST BUT HE WAS HAVING COMPASS PROBLEMS & WAS FRANTICALLY LOOKING AT CHARTS. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH TWO VOR RECEIVERS & ONE ADF. THERE WERE NO NOTAMS LISTED FOR THE VOR OR NDB NAVIGATIONAL AIDS AT THE DESTINATION ARPT. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A FOUR MAN LIFE RAFT & FOUR LIFE VESTS BUT ONE OF THE PASSENGERS INFLATED THE LIFE RAFT BEFORE DITCHING. HE PUNCTURED IT TO REGAIN SPACE. THE LIFE VESTS WERE NOT LOCATED BY THE OCCUPANTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:45 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN51101
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHodge Cleophas U
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O 320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 15 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:46
Weather SourceWFAC