# NTSB ERA12CA222: Cessna 172N, N738QF, Orleans, VT, March 10, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 10, 2012, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Orleans, VT
- Coordinates: 44.981351, -72.244496 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9814&lon=-72.2445&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
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 83114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83114/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83114
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA222

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line while conducting low-altitude flight.

## Findings

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

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (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)

## 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 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was conducting a scenic flight when he descended to about 100 feet above ground level to observe the landscape below. The airplane struck a power line, resulting in substantial damage to the windscreen, vertical stabilizer, and left wing strut. The pilot landed the airplane uneventfully at a nearby airport. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he was conducting a scenic flight when he descended to approximately 100 feet above ground level to observe the landscape below. The airplane struck a power line, resulting in substantial damage to the windscreen, vertical stabilizer, and left wing strut. The pilot landed the airplane uneventfully at a nearby airport. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738QF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738QF), registered now, S/N 17270149 (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: 17270149
- Airframe hours: 6368
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Management Services Inc, doing business as North Ramp Aviation
- Registered owner: Aviation Management Services Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2012
- Departed: EFK, Newport, VT
- Destination: EFK, Newport, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 23, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 152 total, 147 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.42 inHg
- Observed at: EFK, 5 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 20120310002719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120310002719A), Mar 10, 2012: Cessna 172N, Orleans, VT, Substantial damage. On March 10, 2012 N738QF departed burlington international airport (btv) for franklin county state airport (fso) on a pleasure flight, piloted by [privacy data…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 23, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83114. 4.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 465 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365659&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Windscreen (Courtesy FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365660&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Windscreen%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Vertical Stabilizer (Courtesy FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Vertical%20Stabilizer%20(Courtesy%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.

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