# NTSB BFO88FA002: Cessna 172N, N3075E, Lowmoor, VA, October 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1987, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Lowmoor, VA
- Coordinates: 37.759979, -79.940055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7600&lon=-79.9401&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 May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11350/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA002

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS INVOLVED IN POWERLINE PATROL OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT LOW ALTITUDE. THE PLT MADE A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN TO AVOID A RIDGE AND WENT INTO A VALLEY WHERE HE WAS BOXED IN BY TWO RIDGES. HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO OUTCLIMB ONE OF THE RIDGES BEFORE HE COLLIDED WITH IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3075E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3075E-1990-03-16), registration cancelled 1990-03-16, S/N 17271429 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271429
- Airframe hours: 1462
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hanover Aviation Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1987, 23 hours before
- Departed: ROA, ROANOKE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 21,300 total, 510 in this make and model, 20,600 as pilot in command, 265 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROA, 28 nm away

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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