# NTSB FTW72AF003: Cessna 172, N5978R, Sasakwa, OK, July 12, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 12, 1971
- Place: Sasakwa, OK · SASAKWA, OK
- Location: 34.9468° N, 96.5253° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sasakwa, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9468&lon=-96.5253&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 162169
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW72AF003
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72AF003

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1191  71/7/12    SASAKWA,OKLA        CESSNA 172          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 29, 125
        TIME - 1735                    N5978R              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 95 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MCALESTER,OKLA              CHICKASHA,OKLA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- HIT 2 CABLES STRUNG ACROSS RIVER ABOUT 100-150 FT HIGH. CRASHED ON SAND BAR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5978R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5978R-1971-09-22), registration cancelled 1971-09-22, S/N 172-53647 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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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