# NTSB ATL95FA079: Cessna 172F, N8197U, Seneca, SC, April 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 1995, 20:00 local (Apr 9, 1995, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Seneca, SC - Coordinates: 34.680503, -82.95092 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6805&lon=-82.9509&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3476 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95FA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3476/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95FA079 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHILE MANEUVERING NEAR UTILITY LINES, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH THE WIRES. ## 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 - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE DEPARTED WITH NO FIRM FLIGHT PLANS OR DESTINATION. AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT TURNED SOUTH TOWARDS LAKE KEOWEE. AS THE FLIGHT APPROACHED THE LAKE, THE PILOT DECIDED TO CIRCLE HIS BROTHER'S LAKE SIDE HOME. AS HE MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE, IT COLLIDED WITH A SET OF UTILITY LINES WHICH CROSSED THE LAKE. THE AIRPLANE FELL 140 FEET INTO THE LAKE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE SHOWED CIRCULAR SCRAPE MARKS ON THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COWLING, ONE PROPELLER BLADE, AND THE FRONT SIDE OF THE NOSE GEAR STRUT. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED WITH THE AIRPLANE. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 8, 1995, at 2000 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N8197U, collided with a utility line 141 feet above the water at Lake Keowee in Seneca, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot received serious injuries, and the passenger was fatally injured. The flight departed Asheville, North Carolina, at 1930 hours. According to the pilot, they departed Asheville to view the sunset, and had no definite return or destination planned. After takeoff, the pilot flew south towards Lake Keowee. Upon arriving over the lake, the pilot decided to circle his brother's home. This was a prearranged signal which indicted his intention to land at a nearby airport, and would need ground transportation. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane into position over his brother's lake home, the airplane collided with the top grounding cable of the set of utility lines. The airplane fell about 140 feet into the lake. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Information on the pilot is included in this report at the data field labeled "First Pilot Information." AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Information on the aircraft is contained in this report at data field labeled "Aircraft Information". METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Weather information is contained in this report at the data field labeled "Weather information". WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane sank in 45 feet of water, 100 yards from the west shore of the lake. The high voltage power lines were installed approximately 140 feet above the water. Examination of the airframe disclosed that the right wing sustained extensive impact damage along the outboard three quarters of the wing surface (see attached photograph). The left wing sustained relatively minor impact damage. Examination of the engine station and cowling disclosed water and other impact damage. The top engine cowling displayed permanent deformation and there were six holes, punched from the inside, which corresponded with the position of the top spark plugs on the engine. The bottom portion of the engine cowling exhibited a permanent horizontal and circular crease a few inches below the blue paint trim (see attached photograph). Examination of the propeller assembly disclosed that one propeller blade had a 22 inch diagonal scrape mark along the leading edge (see attached photograph). There was an additional scrape mark on the lower part of the nose wheel strut. Both marks appeared to have been made by a circular object, much like that of a wound cable. According to Duke Power, owner of the utility lines, no utility service was interrupted following the collision. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION No medical or pathological information was obtained. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The aircraft wreckage was released to: Dr. John P. Spencer (Aircraft owner) 192 Wembley Road Asheville, North Carolina ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8197U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8197U-1998-05-15), registration cancelled 1998-05-15, S/N 17252097 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17252097 - Airframe hours: 3152 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Spencer, John P. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1994, 170 hours before - Departed: AVL, ASHEVILLE, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 75 in this make and model, 8 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AVL, 45 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 19950408040419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950408040419A), Apr 8, 1995: Cessna 172F, Seneca, SC, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Wing struck power line that was 140 ft above a lake. Fell into water. Was circling low over brothers lake home. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.