The NTSB has issued a preliminary report on the aircraft incident in Ocean City, Maryland that occurred last month.
On July 16, 2019, at about 1815 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172RG airplane, N9715B, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power near Ocean City, Maryland. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured.
The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an aerial survey flight when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Reedville Airport (VA98), Reedville, Virginia.
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to spot fish in support of a commercial fishing operation. He said that, at 3,000 ft. above the water, and 8 miles offshore, the engine began to shake and lose rpm.
In an effort to avoid ditching the airplane in the ocean waters, he navigated to the shoreline and the nearest airport. When it became evident, he was unable to reach the airport, he ditched the airplane in the shallow waters of the ocean surf to avoid bystanders on the beach. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right elevator.
The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming O-360 series engine and a detailed engine examination is pending.
The closest weather reporting facility is Ocean City Municipal Airport (KOXB), Ocean City, Maryland. At 1753, a METAR from KOXB was reporting in part: wind, 190° at 8 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; sky condition, clear.
Original Story
(OCEAN CITY, MD) — No one was injured when a small plane crash-landed in the water off the beach in Ocean City early Tuesday night.
The pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft is identified as Trevor H. Deihl, 23, of Reedville, Va. He reported he was uninjured after the crash.
According to the preliminary investigation, witnesses said they were on the beach at 20th Street about 6:15 p.m., when they saw a single engine airplane crash into the ocean about one-quarter mile from the shoreline. Witnesses said the plane appeared to glide toward the water as it descended and then float on the surface of the ocean when it landed. The plane then floated in toward the beach.
Personnel from the Ocean City Beach Patrol and the Ocean City Police Department immediately responded to the scene. Maryland State Police responded to the scene after being notified by the Ocean City Police Department. Officials from the Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Natural Resources Police, U.S. Coast Guard, National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were notified.
The airplane is a single engine 1981 Cessna 172 RG, owned by the pilot. Deihl told troopers he had taken off from Reedville, VA and had planned to land at the Ocean City Airport. He said he was about one mile offshore when he began having engine trouble and ultimately glided the plane into the ocean.
The investigation is continuing.