Cessna 150L accident near Hillsboro Beach, Florida, November 29, 2009
On November 29, 2009 at about 12:50 pm local time, a Cessna 150L, registered N19318, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Hillsboro Beach, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 29, 2009 · about 12:50 pm local time
- Place
- Hillsboro Beach, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150L · all 150Ls on the register
- Registration
- N19318 · no longer on the register · serial 15074333
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the engine began to run rough during climb on the local flight. The pilot applied carburetor heat, but no improvement in engine performance was observed. The engine stopped running, and the pilot ditched the airplane in the ocean. The pilot exited the airplane and it sank after about three to five minutes. The wreckage was estimated to be in approximately 327 feet of water, and would not be recovered, according to the FAA and the owner’s insurance company representative. The FAA reported that all airworthiness directives had been complied with and the airplane had a current annual inspection.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Ditching during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,000 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 6,000 as pilot in command; 5,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 24, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,091 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2009; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-200 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PMP Pompano Beach FL at 12:45 pm
- Destination: PMP Pompano Beach FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft; a few clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from PMP, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.