# NTSB CEN23LA271: Cessna 172N, N739GU, Siloam Springs, AR, June 30, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 29, 2023, 22:09 local (Jun 30, 2023, 03:09 UTC)
- Place: Siloam Springs, AR
- Coordinates: 36.11, -94.29
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1100&lon=-94.2900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA271
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192500/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192500
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA271

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while on final approach to land.

## Findings

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

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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 172N, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while on final approach at night, he impacted power lines he did not see about 1.5 miles from the approach end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, left wing, and left flap. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739GU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N739GU), registered now, S/N 17270539, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270639
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 6500
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2022
- Departed: FYV, Fayetteville, AR
- Destination: SLG, Siloam Springs, AR
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SLG, Smith Field, runway 18, 4,997 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Heads up display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 6, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 966 total, 962 in this make and model, 814 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: KFYV, 8 nm away
- METAR: KFYV 300253Z AUTO 00000KT 9SM CLR 27/23 A2995

## 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 20230629008329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230629008329A), Jun 29, 2023: Cessna 172N, Siloam Springs, AR, Substantial damage. During a night approach to Siloam Springs, AR (kslg) runway 18 the accident aircraft descended below a safe glide path approximately 1.1 miles from the end of…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192500. 5.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16118637&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 526 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16118071&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photo%20sheet-Rel.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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