# NTSB ATL96LA121: Piper PA-38-112, N4405E, Tuscaloosa, AL, August 18, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1996, 18:59 local (23:59 UTC)
- Place: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Coordinates: 33.219615, -87.479591 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2196&lon=-87.4796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3754/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA121

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid an antenna during low altitude maneuvering.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - antenna
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, the airplane collided with a relay antenna during maneuvering flight as he searched for a friend's home. After the collision, the pilot regained control of the airplane and returned to the departure airport. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot.

## Factual narrative

On August 18, 1996, at 1859 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38 N4405E, collided with a State Police relay antenna about 300 above the ground five miles east of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane received substantial damage, and the pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight departed Tuscaloosa at 1830.

According to the pilot, the collision occurred as he searched for a friend's home in the vicinity of the relay antenna. After the collision, the pilot regained control of the airplane and returned to Tuscaloosa. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. .

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4405E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4405E-2000-08-23), registration cancelled 2000-08-23, S/N 38-78A0594 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0594
- Airframe hours: 4603
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glenn Plugge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1996, 24 hours before
- Departed: TCL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 173 total, 18 in this make and model, 141 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL

## 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 19960818023089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960818023089A), Aug 18, 1996: Piper PA38112, Tuscaloosa, AL, Substantial damage. Collided with police antenna during search for friends home at unsafe low altitude. Regained control returned to tcl

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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