# NTSB MIA96LA164: Cessna 172H, N3887R, Jonesville, SC, June 26, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1996, 20:35 local (Jun 26, 1996, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Jonesville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.829746, -81.67089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8297&lon=-81.6709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38036
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38036/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA164

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain altitude and/or clearance from the obstruction (power line) during low altitude flight.  The lack of natural lighting at dusk was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Nose over, emergency landing

## Analysis

While flying at low altitude, near the passenger's house at dusk, the aircraft struck a power line, and the windshield 'blew out.'  During a subsequent forced landing in a field, the nose landing gear failed, and the aircraft nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On  June 25, 1996, about 2035 eastern daylight time, a  Cessna 172H, N3887R, registered to a private owner, crashed while making a forced landing after striking a power line, near Jonesville, South Carolina, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual  meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot received minor injuries. A passenger received serious injuries. The flight originated from Union, South Carolina, about 15 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated that he was in cruise flight at a low altitude near the passengers house. The aircraft struck a power line and the windshield "blew out."  While making a forced landing in a field the aircraft touched down nose first, knocking off the nose gear. The aircraft then nosed over and came to rest inverted.

Postcrash examination of the crash site by an FAA inspector showed an electrical wire had been struck near the passengers house and that parts of the aircraft windshield was found near the electrical wires. A mark was found on the aircraft's nose gear that was consistent with the nose gear striking the wire. The aircraft crashed in a field about 6/10 of a mile from the electrical wires.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3887R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3887R-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 17255387, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255387
- Airframe hours: 2873
- Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald A. Henderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1995, 54 hours before
- Departed: 35A, UNION, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP, 32 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 19960625015099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960625015099A), Jun 25, 1996: Cessna 172H, Jonesville, SC, Substantial damage. Buzzing passengers house struck a powerline. Landed nose first and flipped over.

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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