# NTSB GAA18CA044: Cessna 172, N55234, Bonners Ferry, ID, November 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 7, 2017, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Bonners Ferry, ID - Coordinates: 48.70222, -116.243331 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7022&lon=-116.2433&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96328 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96328/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96328 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA044 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072439), [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 · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2072439), [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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 118 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, about 50 ft above the ground during a "low recon" over a river bar, he did not see power lines crossing the river until they were about 10 ft in front of the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane's empennage struck the wires; he then added power and initiated a climb. He returned to the airport and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, about 50 ft. above the ground during a "low recon" over a river bar, he did not see power lines crossing the river until they were about 10 ft. in front of the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane's empennage struck the wires; he then, added power and initiated a climb. He returned to the airport and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55234](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55234), registered now, S/N 172S11415, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S) - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S11415 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 224.2 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 2017 - Departed: 65S, Bonners Ferry, ID - Destination: COE, Coeur D'Alene, ID - Airport: 65S, Boundary County - Equipment: Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 29, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 396.2 total, 329.2 in this make and model, 282.8 as pilot in command, 60.4 in the last 90 days, 23.2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: K65S, 3 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 20171107018359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171107018359A), Nov 7, 2017: Cessna 172S, Bonners Ferry, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot departed Boundary County Airport and made a crosswind departure to the southeast. Pilot performed an easterly "high recon" over the river for… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96328. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 975 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 423 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.