Cessna 172S accident near Key West, FL
On February 24, 2012, a Cessna 172S (airplane) was involved in an accident near Key West, FL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 24, 2012
- Place
- Key West, FL
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 24.602°N, 81.751°W
- NTSB ID
- 20120225X71947
Official records · ERA12FA193
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 23, 2012, about 2036 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172S, N53589, was substantially damaged when it impacted the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, following a loss of control during departure from Key West International Airport (EYW), Key West, Florida. The pilot and his pilot rated passenger were fatally injured. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, destined for Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami Florida. Earlier in the day, the pilot and his pilot rated passenger had departed South Bimini Airport (MYBS), South Bimini, Bahamas, for TMB. However, due to a visit to the Miami area by the President of the United States, a temporary flight restriction (TFR) was in effect and they were unable to continue to TMB, and diverted to EYW. Witness Statements and Camera Imagery Witness statements and review of airport security camera imagery revealed that the airplane arrived at EYW at approximately 1713 and then taxied to the general aviation ramp. The pilots were then directed to taxi to the international arrivals ramp at 1718. The pilots were cleared through customs at 1739, and then at 1741, the pilots taxied the airplane to the general aviation ramp. Upon arriving at the general aviation ramp the airplane was refueled with 12 gallons of 100LL aviation gasoline. The pilots then requested a taxi cab so that they could have dinner and were driven to downtown Key West where they were dropped off on Duvall Stree
Probable cause
The non-night-qualified pilot's improper decision to depart in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in his subsequent spatial disorientation, loss of control, and impact with water.
More accidents in FL
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Browse: Florida · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
