- Date
- September 14, 1991, 20:30 local (Sep 15, 1991, 00:30 UTC)
- Place
- Greeneville, TN
- Injuries
- 6 uninjured
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report March 31, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA reports
- 19910914044441A19910914044442A
- Case key
- 8472
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of N78239, and his failure to accurately judge the distance between the two aircraft. Factors in the accident were the dark night conditions and the resulting visual perception of aircraft lighting in dark conditions.
The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of N78239, and his failure to accurately judge the distance between the two aircraft. Factors in the accident were the dark night conditions and the resulting visual perception of aircraft lighting in dark conditions.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Both pilots had planned local sightseeing night flights. Both aircraft were on an easterly heading, with N78239 (a C172K) in front of N73L (a C172D). The aircraft were in radio contact with each other and ATC was not involved. N78239 initiated a 360-degree turn, and visually acquired the lights of N73L after resuming an easterly heading. The pilot of N78239 stated that 'suddenly we hit!' Although at the time he thought the spacing between aircraft was about 2 miles. N78239 landed without further incident despite flight control problems. N73L lost directional control upon landing and collided with a parked airplane. Inspection of both aircraft revealed that N78239 struck N73L from the rear, the right wing leading edge of N78239 contacting the left main landing gear of N73L. The impact broke the wing spar of N78239 and separated the left main gear from N73L.
Both pilots had planned local sightseeing night flights. Both aircraft were on an easterly heading, with N78239 (a C172K) in front of N73L (a C172D). The aircraft were in radio contact with each other and ATC was not involved. N78239 initiated a 360-degree turn, and visually acquired the lights of N73L after resuming an easterly heading. The pilot of N78239 stated that 'suddenly we hit'! Although at the time he thought the spacing between aircraft was about 2 miles. N78239 landed without further incident despite flight control problems. N73L lost directional control upon landing and collided with a parked airplane. Inspection of both aircraft revealed that N78239 struck N73L from the rear, the right wing leading edge of N78239 contacting the left main landing gear of N73L. The impact broke the wing spar of N78239 and separated the left main gear from N73L.
Aircraft · 2
- Registration
- N78239
- Reported as
- Cessna 172K
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17257540
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-E2D, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Broyles, William T
- Registered owner
- Broyles, William T
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
- Registration
- N73L
- Reported as
- Cessna 172D
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17250283
- Engine
- Continental O-300-D, 145 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Gregory, James K.
- Registered owner
- Gregory, James K.
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew · 2
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot, aircraft N78239
- Age
- 70
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Flight hours
- 2,200 total · 125 in this make and model · 2,200 as pilot in command · 38 in the last 90 days · 18 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
- Role
- Pilot, aircraft N73L
- Age
- 39
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Flight hours
- 220 total · 92 in this make and model · 192 as pilot in command · 35 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 60° at 3 knots
- Visibility
- 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- TYS, 69 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 2
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N78239 · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.