Cessna 195 N22L

Summary

On 18 December 2005 at about 18:33 local time, a Cessna 195 registered N22L was involved in an accident near St. Augustine, Florida, United States. 4 people were on board and 3 died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 December 2005 at 18:33

Classification

Accident

Location

St. Augustine, Florida, United States

Coordinates

29.9719, -81.2678

Aircraft

Cessna 195

Registration

N22L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jacksonville → Fort Pierce

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA06LA041

3 people died.

The loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an emergency descent and ditching. Factors contributing to the survivability of the accident were the low ceilings and rough water.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was on an instrument flight rules personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot reported a loss of engine power in instrument meteorological conditions to air traffic control. The controller vectored the flight for an instrument approach to the nearest airport, but the airplane was unable to reach the airport, and the pilot ditched in the ocean. The sole surviving occupant, who was seated behind the pilot, reported that the engine lost power, and the pilot restarted the engine, but it lost power again. She said she and the other passengers attempted to don life jackets as the pilot glided the airplane toward the water. She said when the airplane struck the water she was thrown into the rear baggage compartment where she escaped through a baggage door. She did not see any of the other occupants exit the airplane. Conditions in area of the ditching included a low overcast, and 7 to 10 foot swells. The airplane wreckage was located, and the pilot was recovered by divers. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was drowning. The airplane was not recovered, and has not been examined by the National Transportation Safety Board. Receipts revealed that the airplane was fueled prior to departure, and tests of the fuel supply did not reveal any anomalies. Records indicate the airplane annual inspection was timely, and no history of mechanical issues was discovered. An examination of the pilot's log books disclosed he was appropriately certificated and current.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.