# NTSB ATL94LA067: Cessna 140, N76342, Celina, TN, March 23, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1994, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Celina, TN
- Coordinates: 36.540962, -85.499221 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5410&lon=-85.4992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3360
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3360/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA067

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE TRANSMISSION WIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS FLYING LOW, OVER THE CUMBERLAND RIVER, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, AND IT CRASHED INTO THE RIVER. HIS PASSENGER, WHO WAS NOT A PILOT, WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE PILOT WAS ISSUED HIS STUDENT CERTIFICATE 12 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND AT THAT TIME REPORTED A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 385 HOURS. AN INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE WIRE WHICH WAS SEVERED BY THE AIRPLANE WAS ERECTED ABOUT 90 FEET ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE RIVER.

## Factual narrative

On March 23, 1993, at about 0730 central standard time, a Cessna 140, N76342, collided with a power line during cruise flight near Celina, Tennessee. The non-rated pilot had minor injuries, and his passenger was fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The flight originated in Gainesboro, Tennessee, at an unknown time.

The pilot reported to law enforcement personnel that he was flying low, over the Cumberland River, when the aircraft collided with a power line. He lost aircraft control, and the aircraft crashed into the river.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) visited the accident site and inspected the aircraft after it was recovered from the river. He reported that the power line was severed at a point that was approximately 90 feet above the surface of the water. Details of his wreckage examination are included in the inspector's written statement as an attachment to this report.

The pilot was issued a student pilot and third class medical certificate on March 11, 1994. According to FAA records, he was not rated in any airplane. On his certificate application, he reported a total flying time of 385 hours. The passenger did not possess any pilot certificates or ratings.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76342](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76342-2014-11-18), registration cancelled 2014-11-18, S/N 10759, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10759
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vassilev, James H.
- Registered owner: Vassilev, James H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1A7, GAINESBORO, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 385 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 8A3, 12 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 19940323006479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940323006479A), Mar 23, 1994: Cessna 140, Celina, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flying low over river struck power line and fell into river. Unauthorized passenger fatally injuried.

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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