Cessna 172N accident near Jacksonville, Florida, June 3, 1988
On June 3, 1988 at about 5:36 pm local time, a Cessna 172N, registered N5245E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jacksonville, Florida (Craig airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 1988 · about 5:36 pm local time
- Place
- Jacksonville, Florida · Craig · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N5245E · no longer on the register · serial 17271795
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PRIVATE PILOT HAD BEEN HIRED TO FERRY A RECENTLY PURCHASED AIRCRAFT. HE STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. HE HAD IT REFUELED AND CHECKED THE FUEL TANKS FOR WATER. AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE FAILED AT ABOUT 200 FT. HE CRASHED INTO THE ROOF OF A SHOPPING MALL. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL AND CARBURETOR BOWL REVEALED WATER TO BE PRESENT.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,211 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 1,167 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,255 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 1988; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Miller Aircraft, INC.
The flight
- Destination: DBN Dublin GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 4,001 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:40 pm from CRG, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.