Cessna 195 accident near St. Augustine, Florida, December 18, 2005
On December 18, 2005 at about 6:33 pm local time, a Cessna 195, registered N22L, was substantially damaged in an accident near St. Augustine, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 18, 2005 · about 6:33 pm local time
- Place
- St. Augustine, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 195 · all 195s on the register
- Registration
- N22L · registry record · serial 7961
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,123 hours in all
- Last flight review: February 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,706 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2005
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jacobs R-755-A2 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KCRG Jacksonville FL at 6:15 pm
- Destination: KFPR Fort Pierce FL
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 500 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 6:30 pm from KSGJ, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number MIA06LA041.