# NTSB ERA09CA294: Cessna R182, N7392S, Collins, MS, May 14, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2009, 16:55 local (21:55 UTC) - Place: Collins, MS - Coordinates: 31.486944, -89.517219 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4869&lon=-89.5172&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73867 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73867/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73867 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA294 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an antenna during a low-altitude aerial observation flight. Contributing to the accident was the sun glare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/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: [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was performing a pipeline patrol and was in a climbing left turn when the glare from the sun temporarily blinded him. As he reached up to manipulate the sun visors, the airplane's right wing impacted a 320-foot-tall radio antenna. After the collision, slight left rudder pressure was required to counter the airplane's right turning tendency. The rudder and elevator controls were unaffected and the pilot stated that he felt no vibration or buffeting. The pilot continued to his destination and landed uneventfully. After landing, he discovered that the airplane sustained damage to the right wing spar and the right aileron. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. He further stated that a heightened awareness of the exposure to potential obstructions in the pipeline patrol area might prevent a recurrence of this type of accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was performing pipeline patrol and in a climbing left turn, when the glare from the sun temporarily blinded him. As he reached up to manipulate the sun visors, the airplane's right wing impacted a 320-foot-tall radio antenna. After the collision, slight left rudder pressure was required to counter the right turning tendency. The rudder and elevator controls were unaffected and the pilot stated that he felt no vibration or buffeting. The pilot continued to his destination and landed without event. After landing, he discovered that the airplane sustained damage to the right wing spar and the right aileron. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. He further stated that a heightened awareness of the exposure to potential obstructions in the pipeline patrol area might prevent a recurrence of this type of accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7392S (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA R182 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18201709 - Airframe hours: 7107 - Engines: Lycoming O540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: BP Pipelines (North America) Inc. - Registered owner: BP Pipelines (North America) Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 2009, 93 hours before - Departed: BTR, Baton Rouge, LA - Destination: HKS, Jackson, MS - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: HKS, Hawkins Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 12, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 42,000 total, 20,000 in this make and model, 42,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: HBG, 28 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 20090514006799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090514006799A), May 14, 2009: Cessna R182, Collins, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft N7392S right wing hit an antenna tower in the Collins, MS area as the pilot in command (PIC) ended his pipeline patrol. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73867. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314254&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314256&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314273&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Photo - Damage to Right Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 356 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314268&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Damage%20to%20Right%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo - Damage to Right Wing Spar (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 307 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314269&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Damage%20to%20Right%20Wing%20Spar%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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. --- 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.