# NTSB CEN11CA011: Cessna 175C, N8323T, Humphrey, AR, October 8, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 8, 2010, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Humphrey, AR
- Coordinates: 34.023056, -91.672225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0231&lon=-91.6722&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77537/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77537
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA011

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static wire while maneuvering at a low altitude.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md?model=2072508), [All aircraft, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2072508), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 175C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2072508), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 175C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072508), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot and passenger planned to disperse cremated remains from the airplane during the flight. As the pilot made a low pass over the graveyard, he heard a loud "bang" and the windshield broke. The pilot was able to remain airborne and returned to the airport for a normal landing. Examination of the airplane and accident site revealed that the airplane struck a static wire, impacting the airplane’s windshield and instrument panel. The wire continued to cut into the left and right sides of the airplane, resulting in structural damage to the fuselage. Following the accident, the pilot reported no preimpact anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot and passenger planned to disperse cremated remains from an airplane. As the pilot made a low pass over the graveyard, the pilot heard a “load bang and the windshield” broke. The pilot was able to remain airborne and returned to the airport for a normal landing. Examination of the airplane and accident site revealed that a static wire impacted the airplane’s windshield and instrument panel. The wire continued to cut into the left and right sides of the airplane, causing structural damage to the fuselage. Following the accident, the pilot reported no pre-impact anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8323T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8323T-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 17557023, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175C
- Registry model: [Cessna 175C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175c) (registry code 2072508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17557023
- Airframe hours: 2495
- Engines: CONT MOTOR GO-300 SERIES 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 2010
- Departed: KSGT, Stuttgart, AR
- Destination: KSGT, Stuttgart, AR
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 644 total, 187 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 2 knots, gusting 11
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg

## 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 20101008046999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101008046999A), Oct 8, 2010: Cessna 175C, Humphrey, AR, Substantial damage. On October 8, 2010, at approximately 1112 CDT, N8323T, a Cessna 175 aircraft, operated by a private pilot near Humphrey, Arkansas struck a power line in flight…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77537. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338383&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagrams (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338384&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area,%20Wreckage%20Diagrams-Master.PDF

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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