# NTSB ATL90LA020: Cessna 172N, N172SC, Valdosta, GA, October 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1989, 15:02 local (19:02 UTC)
- Place: Valdosta, GA
- Coordinates: 30.839948, -83.269264 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8399&lon=-83.2693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA020

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT (FAILURE TO SEE & AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION). CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE TRANSMISSION (POWER) LINE AND LACK OF VISUAL CUES (PILOT'S VISUAL PERCEPTION).

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE THE PLT WAS PATROLLING A 115 KV POWER LINE, THE ACFT FLEW INTO A 230 KV LINE THAT CROSSED OVER THE 115 KV LINE. THE PLT FELT A 'JOLT' AS THE ACFT STRUCK THE 230 KV LINE, BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED FLYING. HE MADE A CONTROLLABILITY CHECK, THEN HE RETURNED TO THE ARPT & LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AN EXAM REVEALED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING TIP, VERTICAL STABILIZER & RUDDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N172SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172SC-2014-05-06), registration cancelled 2014-05-06, S/N 17268105, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-H1AD](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-h1ad) (registry code 42129, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-68105
- Airframe hours: 4423
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Holland Flying Service
- Registered owner: Holland Flying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1989, 13 hours before
- Departed: VDL, VALDOSTA, GA
- Destination: VDL, VALDOSTA, GA
- Airport: VLD, Valdosta Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,039 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 7,669 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VLD

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19891017045059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891017045059A), Oct 17, 1989: Cessna 172N, Valdosta, GA, Substantial damage. Struck overhead grounding cable while on powerline patrol. Returned to base. Bent vertical tail and wind damaged.

## Other investigations on N172SC (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL91LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA001), Oct 8, 1990: Cessna 172N (N172SC), Valdosta, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A TAKEOFF ATTEMPT. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE STUDENT'S OVERALL LACK OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, AND THE REPORTED WIND GUST.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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