# NTSB MIA88FA179: Cessna 172K, N736VS, Lake City, FL, May 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1988, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Lake City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.190372, -82.639526 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1904&lon=-82.6395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32018
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32018/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA179

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE ACFT, WHILE ON A LOCAL FLIGHT, STRUCK A TELEPHONE TRANSMISSION LINE ON THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 1. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY SAW THE ACFT TAKEOFF TO THE WEST AND MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND GO OUT OF SIGHT. APRX THREE TO FIVE MINUTES LATER, THEY HEARD THE ACFT CRASH. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A HIGHER WIRE THAT WAS MARKED WITH RED BALLS, WAS REMOVED BY THE POWER COMPANY THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, AND THE LOWER WIRE THAT WAS STRUCK BY THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REMOVED SOON AFTER THE UPPER WIRE. TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES PERFORMED ON THE PILOT BY THE OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER IN JACKSONVILLE, FL INDICATED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 130 MG/DL. THE HARRIS MEDICAL LABORATORY OF FORT WORTH, TX REVEALED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 286 MG/DL AND A URINE ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 289 MG/DL. ACCORDING TO TIRE TRACKS FOUND AT THE SCENE, THE ACFT TAXIED UNDER THE REMAINING WIRE BEFORE TAKING OFF TO THE WEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N736VS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736VS-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N R1722827, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722827
- Airframe hours: 616
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Howard D. Sickels
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1987, 108 hours before
- Airport: 15FL, Brothers Welcome, runway 1, 3,449 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,853 total, 1,850 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 40 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 19880525053219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880525053219A), May 25, 1988: Cessna 172K, Lake City, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck a powerline near approach end of runway and crashed. Pilot had an alcohol waiver and was intoxicated.

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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