CESSNA 150L

Full Narrative

On November 29, 2009, about 0750 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150J, N19318, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and ditching near Hillsboro Beach, Florida. The airplane was registered to Malin Aircraft Sales, Inc., Pompano Beach, Florida. The airline transport-rated pilot sustained minor injuries. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated at Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP), Pompano Beach, Florida at 0745.

The pilot reported that he was in a climb, passing 1,500 feet mean sea level, when the engine began to run rough. There was no loud noise from the engine, "indicative of an internal failure." He applied carburetor heat; however, this did not remedy the situation. The engine eventually quit, and the pilot set up to ditch in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1.5 miles east of Hillsboro Beach. Following the ditching, the pilot was forced to wait until the cabin was about three-quarters full of water before he was able to open the cockpit door. He exited the airplane and was rescued by local fishermen. He stated that the airplane floated for about three to five minutes before sinking. As of this writing, the wreckage has not been recovered. Hillsboro County Police Department personnel reported that the wreckage was located in about 327 feet or water.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the maintenance records indicated the airplane had a current annual inspection and all airworthiness directives had been complied with. The FAA and the owner’s insurance company representative reported that the wreckage would not be recovered from the ocean.

The 0753 weather observation for PMP, located approximately 4 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, included the following: surface winds from 340 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 3,500 feet, broken clouds at 6,000 feet, temperature 17 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 12 degrees C, altimeter setting 30.10 inches of mercury.