# NTSB BFO88LA075: Cessna 172N, N213JA, Port Royal, VA, August 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1988, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Royal, VA
- Coordinates: 38.159404, -77.190895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1594&lon=-77.1909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA075

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED FREDERICKSBURG, VA, FOR A POWER LINE PATROL FLIGHT IN PORT ROYAL, VA. AFTER INTERSECTING THE POWER LINES AT THE SUBSTATION, THE PATROL WAS INITIATED FLYING 10 FT ABOVE AND 20 FT TO THE LEFT OF THE LINES. THE PLT STATED HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD OUTSIDE THE ACFT WHEN HE FELT THE ACFT CONTACT THE POWER LINES. CONTACT WITH TWO LINES RESULTED IN THE SEPARATION OF 4 FT OF THE RUDDER, ELEVATOR DAMAGE, AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FLAP. THE PLT CONTINUED THE FLT AND RETURNED TO SHANNON ARPT AFTER DECLARING AN EMERGENCY WITH QUANTICO MARINE BASE ATCT. THE PLT MADE A LONG STRAIGHT-IN APCH TO RWY 23 AND LANDED THE ACFT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N213JA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-73595
- Airframe hours: 3392
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Hanover Aviation Company
- Registered owner: Hanover Aviation Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1988, 54 hours before
- Departed: W07, FREDERICKSBURG, VA
- Airport: W07, Shannon

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 352 in this make and model, 1,164 as pilot in command, 189 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 49 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.

---
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.