# NTSB ATL91LA183: Cessna 172, N2862E, Newberry, SC, September 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1991, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Newberry, SC
- Coordinates: 34.270332, -81.609405 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2703&lon=-81.6094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8481/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA183

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VISUAL LOOKOUT AND CLEARANCE WHILE MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE.

## 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
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY LINE 80 FEET ABOVE THE WATER AND CRASHED INTO THE LAKE.  THE PILOT STATED THAT, 'THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF WE HAD BEEN FLYING AT AN ALTITUDE THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED FOR OBSTACLE CLEARANCE....'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2862E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2862E-1992-06-12), registration cancelled 1992-06-12, S/N 17271351 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271351
- Airframe hours: 5289
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Augusta Aviation
- Registered owner: Augusta Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 1991, 20 hours before
- Departed: 27J, NEWBERRY, SC
- Destination: DNL, AUGUSTA, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 583 total, 89 in this make and model, 439 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE, 30 nm away

## 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 19910929043689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910929043689A), Sep 29, 1991: Cessna 172N, Newberry, SC, Substantial damage. Struck a powerline 80 feet AGL while sightseeing over lake murray. Crashed into lake.

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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