# NTSB GAA16CA333: Cessna 172, N46204, Anthony, NM, June 25, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 25, 2016, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Anthony, NM - Coordinates: 32.259998, -106.819999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2600&lon=-106.8200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA333 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93468/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93468 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA333 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a cable while maneuvering at a low altitude over water, which resulted in a collision with a cable and impact with water. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172I, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072426), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172I, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072426), [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 172I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2072426), [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. - [Enroute: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2072426), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172I, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072426), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he wanted to "fly the river" on the return leg of a cross country flight. He further reported that he was going to fly at a lower altitude over the river, but before doing so, he did a low reconnaissance pass to look for people and objects. After he determined that the area was "safe", the pilot entered low altitude flight above the river. Subsequently, the airplane struck a cable that spanned the river cutting the aircraft in half, the aircraft then impacted the river and incurred substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he wanted to "fly the river" on the return leg of a cross country flight. He further reported that he was going to fly at a lower altitude over the river, but before doing so, he did a low reconnaissance pass to look for people and objects. After he determined that the area was "safe", the pilot entered low altitude flight above the river. Subsequently, the airplane struck a cable that spanned the river cutting the aircraft in half, the aircraft then impacted the river and incurred substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46204](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46204), registered now, S/N 17257106 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (I) - Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17257106 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 2825.2 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 2016 - Departed: 5T6, SANTA TERESA, NM - Destination: LRU, LAS CRUCES, NM - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: minor; commercial, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2016; seat: right; flight hours: 634 total, 139.1 in this make and model, 384.3 as pilot in command, 29.5 in the last 90 days, 7.3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KLRU, 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 20160625015119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160625015119A), Jun 25, 2016: Cessna 172I, Anthony, NM, Destroyed. The pilot was returning from santa teresa (5T6) and decided to fly low over the river. The pilot conducted a low recon of the route and then circled back and… ## Other investigations on N46204 (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN99LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA067), Apr 28, 1999: Cessna 172I (N46204), Las Cruces, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot of N46204's failure to maintain visual lookout and to identify the other aircraft visually during landing. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93468. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 639 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442604&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - 6120 Aircraft Information (item 2, .PDF, 332 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442605&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=6120%20Aircraft%20Information-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442607&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation Bureau of Reclamation (item 4, .PDF, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442608&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Bureau%20of%20Reclamation-Master.PDF - Photograph of Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1 photo, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%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.