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NTSB Report

December 8, 2005 · Cessna 152 · N49815

Key Largo, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 8, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Key Largo, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N49815
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA06LA026

The pilot stated that he had been asked by the owner to ferry an airplane that had just been purchased, and further said that the airplane had been sitting in an area that had extensive flooding, which had occurred as a result of hurricanes that had affected the area. After conducting a preflight examination the pilot said he took off, and was in cruise flight at an altitude of 1,500 feet for about 15 minutes, when all of a sudden, without warning, the engine ceased operating. He said he was able to keep the engine operating through the use of the primer, but after a little while the engine ceased operating all together, and he ditched the airplane in the ocean. The pilot also said that he had experienced "several problems" with the FAA, and at the time of the accident flight, both his FAA private pilot certificate and his FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate had been revoked. After recovery from the ocean an FAA inspector examined the airplane and it was to have extensive corrosion. The magnetos, carburetor and spark plugs had either been worn, severely fouled, or had corroded, and according to the inspector, due to the flooding, as well as the airplane having been ditched in the ocean, he was unable to determine its preaccident condition.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons that resulted in the airplane being ditched into the ocean. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's operation of an airplane with known deficiencies due to it having sat in flooded waters.

Full Narrative

On December 8, 2005, about 1600 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N49815, registered to and operated by Command Aircraft Parts and Recovery Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight, ditched into the Atlantic Ocean, near Key Largo, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The unlicensed pilot received no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated in Marathon, Florida, the same day, about 1545. The pilot stated that he had been asked by the owner of the airplane/owner of Command Aircraft Parts and Recovery Inc., an airplane wreckage salvage company, to ferry an airplane that the company had recently purchased. The pilot further stated that the airplane had been sitting in an area that had extensive flooding, which had occurred as a result of hurricanes that had affected the area. After conducting a preflight examination, the pilot said he took off, climbed to an altitude of 1,500 feet, and flew the airplane over the water, just off the Florida Keys. He said that everything was proceeding uneventfully, with the airplane "operating flawlessly." After being in cruise flight for about 15 minutes, he said that all of a sudden, without warning, the engine ceased operating. As part of his emergency actions, the pilot said he pumped the primer, and the engine began to operate sporadically, and added that he was able to keep the engine operating through the use of the primer. When he pulled the primer out it, he said it would be sucked back in. After a little while the engine ceased operating all together, and the pilot said he ditched the airplane in the shallow ocean waters off the coast of Key Largo, Florida. According to the pilot, he had experienced "several problems" with the FAA, and at the time of the accident flight, both his FAA private pilot certificate and his FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate had been revoked. Personnel from Command Aircraft Parts and Recovery Inc., recovered the accident airplane from the ocean and transported it to their salvage facility in Bunnell, Florida. On January 15, 2006, an FAA inspector visited the Command Aircraft Parts and Recovery Inc., facility in Bunnell, Florida, and examined the aircraft. According to the inspector, the airplane was found to have extensive corrosion. he said when he examined the magnetos, carburetor and spark plugs, they displayed evidence of having been worn, severely fouled, having extensive corrosion. The inspector said that due to the airplane having sat in flood waters, as well as having ditched in the ocean, he was unable to determine its preaccident condition.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN49815
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data