# NTSB ERA24LA114: Cessna 172M, N9160H, Brookwood, AL, February 16, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 16, 2024, 10:29 local (16:29 UTC) - Place: Brookwood, AL · In Black Warrior River - Coordinates: 33, -87 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0000&lon=-87.0000&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: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 22, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193809 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193809/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193809 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA114 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072418), [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 172M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2072418), [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 172M, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis Witnesses reported the airplane was flying low over a river with the engine operating at a high rpm when it collided with a set of powerlines about 60-80 ft above the ground. The airplane descended into the river and sank, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane and fatal injury to the pilot. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although an autopsy of the pilot revealed hypertensive and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, given the airplane’s low and level flight before the collision a cardiac event was unlikely to have contributed to the accident. ## Factual narrative On February 16, 2024, at 1029 central standard time, a Cessna 172M, N9160H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Brookwood, Alabama. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A witness fishing on the Black Warrior river reported observing the airplane flying low up the river. The airplane collided with a set of powerlines, then impacted the water and sank. The witness said that by the time he reached the airplane with his boat, it was already submerged. Another witness reported the airplane was flying “level” and low over the river with its engine operating at a “high rpm.” The witness said that as he attempted to take a picture of the airplane, it collided with the powerlines. He then saw the airplane veer left and descend into the river. The airplane collided with a set of 1-inch diameter powerline cables (one neutral, one energized) that spanned the river and were about 60-80 ft above the water. The airplane severed the neutral cable. The energized cable was not severed, but according to a witness the power in her camper at an adjacent campground flickered momentarily when the airplane collided with the powerlines. The airplane was examined after being recovered from the river. The airplane exhibited substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. The left wing remained attached to the fuselage and the right wing was separated. The empennage was separated just aft of the fuselage in one section, and the horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer and rudder were minimally damaged. Impact marks consistent with a wire strike were observed on the lower left area of the empennage. Flight control continuity was established for all major flight controls to the cockpit. The engine separated from the airframe and visual inspection revealed no obvious mechanical issues. Both of the propeller blades remained attached to the engine. Each blade exhibited little to no chordwise scoring, with one of the blades having an aft bend of about 30° and a slight twist mid-span. One of the blades had deep sequential gouges on the leading edge that exhibited features consistent with a cable strike. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicology testing performed by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory identified losartan and hydrochlorothiazide in the pilot’s heart blood and urine. These drugs are primarily used to treat high blood pressure and are not considered to be impairing. An autopsy on the pilot was conducted by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, Montgomery, Alabama. The cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force injuries, with water immersion being a major contributory factor to the cause of death. Hypertensive and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease was also present atthe time of autopsy, but the medical evidence was not sufficient to determine if a cardiac event contributed to the cause of death. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9160H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9160H), registered now, S/N 17265984, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17265984 - Year built: 1975 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TCL, Tuscaloosa, AL - Airport: None - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: fatal; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2024; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,488.4 total, 768.9 in this make and model, 2,464.2 as pilot in command, 107 in the last 90 days, 18.2 in the last 30 days, 1.6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 2000° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 3007.00 inHg - Observed at: BHM, 47 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 20240216004599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240216004599A), Feb 16, 2024: Cessna 172M, Brookwood, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft was flying over the warrior river near Brookwood, AL when the aircraft struck wires causing the aircraft to descend into the river and sink. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193809. 6.1 MB in all. - Witness statements (item 1, PDF, 4 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19396369&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB engine and wreckage examination report (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 629 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19418143&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Engine%20and%20Airframe%20Examination%20Report-Rel.pdf - NTSB memo for record - autopsy (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19418242&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Memo%20for%20Record%20-%20Autopsy-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 521 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19313048&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 750 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19312727&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%20NTSB%20Release_Redacted-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. --- 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.