# NTSB DEN87FA218: Cessna 172C, N1418Y, Switz City, IN, August 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1987, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Switz City, IN
- Coordinates: 39.030319, -87.050354 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0303&lon=-87.0504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17124/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA218

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTING THE BLOOMFIELD ARPT, THE PLT FLEW WITH HIS FAMILY OVER A COAL MINE AREA WHERE HE HAD DONE RECLAMATION WORK. WITNESSES AT THE MINE STATED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT FLY LOW OVER THE MINE PITS & THAT THE PLT WAVED AT THEM. THE ACFT DEPARTED, THEN RETURNED ABOUT 10 TO 15 MIN LATER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK A POWER LINE AT AN ESTD ALT OF 76' AGL & CRASHED. CABLE MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE NOSE WHEEL FORK & TIRE. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.13% & A URINE/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.03%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1418Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1418Y-1989-02-21), registration cancelled 1989-02-21, S/N 17249118 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172C
- Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249118
- Airframe hours: 3733
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Defrees, Mullkin, Young
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1986, 72 hours before
- Departed: 1I3, BLOOMFIELD, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total, 450 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19870816048989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870816048989A), Aug 16, 1987: Cessna 172C, Switz City, IN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck a powerline while circling pilots work area at an unsafe altitude. The aircraft then fell to the ground.

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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