# NTSB FTW84FA408: Cessna 172P, N52270, Webbers Falls, OK, September 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1984, 08:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: Webbers Falls, OK
- Coordinates: 35.500793, -95.159164 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5008&lon=-95.1592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21151
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA408
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21151/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA408

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - wire,transmission (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT STRUCK ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINE 80' ABOVE WATER WHILE FLYING UNDER THE LINE DURING A WILDLIFE SURVEY. THE ACFT'S MISSION WAS TO CONDUCT A DUCK COUNT ALONG A RIVER IN A NAT'L WILDLIFE REFUGE WHICH REQUIRED LOW, SLOW MANEUVERING. THE EX-AG PILOT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE MISSION AND THE SURVEY AREA. THE ACFT'S LEFT WING TIP STRUCK THE 2' CABLE WHILE IN A 20 DEG RIGHT BANK. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE RIVER ABOUT 1/8TH OF A MILE DOWNSTREAM FRON THE WIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52270](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52270-2014-10-27), registration cancelled 2014-10-27, S/N 17274473, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274473
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: Sallisaw Aviation
- Registered owner: Gary D. Fine
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 17, 1984
- Departed: 2M3, SALLISAW, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,381 total, 150 in this make and model, 7,239 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 70 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 19840926058509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840926058509A), Sep 26, 1984: Cessna 172P, Webber Falls, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. While flying down the river counting ducks, the aircraft struck powerlines. Impacted river. 135 ops not licensed.

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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