The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Accidents · NTSB ERA16LA158 · Final report

Cessna U206 accident near Atlantic Ocean, AO, April 15, 2016

On April 15, 2016 at about 2:10 pm local time, a 1975 Cessna U206, registered N1346Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Atlantic Ocean, AO. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

A total loss of engine power for reason(s) that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
April 15, 2016 · about 2:10 pm local time
Place
Atlantic Ocean, AO · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna U206 F, built 1975 · all U206s on the register
Registration
N1346Q · no longer on the register · serial U20602891
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, before departing on the overwater cross-country flight, he performed a preflight inspection and noted that the engine oil quantity was full. He also performed an engine run-up before takeoff, during which no discrepancies were noted, and he specifically stated that the oil pressure was satisfactory. After takeoff, the flight proceeded toward the destination. About 20 minutes from the destination, the pilot noticed a sudden loss of oil pressure and saw smoke coming from the engine compartment. The engine subsequently lost power, and the pilot ditched the airplane into the ocean. The airplane sank in about 2,360 ft of water and was not recovered. Although the engine oil and oil filter were changed the day before the accident flight, no correlation could be made between that event and the reported loss of engine power. Because the airplane and engine were not recovered and could not be examined, no determination could be made as to the reason(s) for the sudden loss of oil pressure, smoke, and then subsequent total loss of engine power.

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

  1. Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
  2. Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
  3. Ditching during landing (flare/touchdown)

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined

Pilot

  • Certificate: commercial pilot, private
  • Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 5,000 hours in all; 450 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 3,500 as pilot in command
  • Last flight review: February 22, 2015
  • Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Last inspection: annual inspection, June 2, 2015
  • Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
  • Seats: 6
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Continental IO-520-F (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: FXE Fort Lauderdale FL at 1:55 pm
  • Destination: MYBS North Bimini
  • Flight plan: none

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 160° at 10 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: scat at 3,000 ft
  • Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
  • Observation at 1:53 pm from OPF, 31 miles away

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers2

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

9 documents, released by the NTSB on July 5, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.

The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.

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.