Aug. 12, Carlsbad, Calif. / Cessna 150

At about 11:30 Pacific time, a Cessna 150 ditched in the Pacific ocean about 20 miles south west of Carlsbad following a loss of engine power. The pilot suffered minor injuries. The flight originated from San Diego about a half hour earlier and was en route to a fish-spotting mission offshore. The pilot said the engine rpms began a slow decay when he was about 40 miles offshore, accompanied by a loss of oil pressure and an increase in oil temperature. The pilot reversed course and headed toward Carlsbad, the closest airport. About 20 miles out the engine lost all power and the pilot ditched the airplane. A passing fishing boat picked up the pilot....

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Cessna 150 ditched in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Carlsbad after experiencing a catastrophic loss of engine power during a fish-spotting mission.
  • The engine failure was preceded by a gradual decay in RPMs, loss of oil pressure, and increased oil temperature while approximately 40 miles offshore.
  • The pilot, who sustained minor injuries, was successfully rescued by a passing fishing boat shortly after ditching the plane about 20 miles from the coast.
See a mistake? Contact us.

At about 11:30 Pacific time, a Cessna 150 ditched in the Pacific ocean about 20 miles south west of Carlsbad following a loss of engine power. The pilot suffered minor injuries. The flight originated from San Diego about a half hour earlier and was en route to a fish-spotting mission offshore. The pilot said the engine rpms began a slow decay when he was about 40 miles offshore, accompanied by a loss of oil pressure and an increase in oil temperature. The pilot reversed course and headed toward Carlsbad, the closest airport. About 20 miles out the engine lost all power and the pilot ditched the airplane. A passing fishing boat picked up the pilot.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE