# NTSB MIA93LA132: Cessna 172N, N6542J, Immokalee, FL, April 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1993, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Immokalee, FL
- Location: 26.4240° N, 81.4216° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Immokalee, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4240&lon=-81.4216&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA132

## Probable cause

THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO BUZZ AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,static
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BECAME BORED WHILE FLYING AND ELECTED TO DESCEND TO FLY CLOSE TO THE GROUND.  HE DESCENDED TO APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND HAD BEEN AT THAT ALTITUDE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS WHEN HE FELT AN IMPACT.  HE DIVERTED TO A NEARBY AIRPORT AND LANDED UNEVENTFULLY WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT THE TOP PORTION OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER WAS MISSING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6542J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6542J-2013-11-08), registration cancelled 2013-11-08, S/N 17273887, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273887
- Airframe hours: 4003
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: American Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ate Of Texas, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 23, 1993, 51 hours before
- Departed: FXE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 100 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RSW, 20 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 19930412019749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930412019749A), Apr 12, 1993: Cessna 172N, Immokalee, FL, Substantial damage. Bored with training maneuvers descended to a low altitude. Struck wires. Remained aloft. Top tail fin sheared off.

## Other investigations on N6542J (2)

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 ATL03LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA003), Oct 13, 2002: Cessna 172N (N6542J), Pompano Beach, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CHI96LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA140), Apr 21, 1996: Cessna 172 (N6542J), Dekalb, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's inadequate supervision, and his delay in taking remedial action to regain directional control of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the student's improper…

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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