# NTSB CHI86FA068: Cessna 177RG, N52949, Valley View, IL, January 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1986, 16:02 local (22:02 UTC)
- Place: Valley View, IL
- Coordinates: 41.919982, -88.299194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9200&lon=-88.2992&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA068

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS CONDUCTING A LOW PASS, 40 FT AGL, ON A RIVER AND STRUCK A POWER LINE CROSSING HIS FLT PATH. THE STRIKE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE ACFT IMPACTED ON THE FROZEN SURFACE OF THE RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52949](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52949-2013-04-08), registration cancelled 2013-04-08, S/N 177RG1319, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG1319
- Airframe hours: 1451
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stratis G. Bahavelos
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1985, 4 hours before
- Departed: C59, DELEVAN, WI
- Destination: IC5, PLAINFIELD, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,449 total, 361 in this make and model, 1,226 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 3 nm away

## 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 19860119000799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860119000799A), Jan 19, 1986: Cessna 177RG, Valley View, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft hit powerlines and impacted a frozen river. The pilot was operating at an unsafe altitude.

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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