# NTSB NYC92LA003: Cessna 172, N76101, Lincoln, ME, October 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1991, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, ME
- Location: 45.3597° N, 68.5022° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lincoln, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3597&lon=-68.5022&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37085
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37085/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA003

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE TRANSMISSION LINES. A FACTOR WAS THE SUNGLARE.

## 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
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command
  - object - wire,static(marked) (contributing factor)
  - vertical stabilizer surface - bent

## Analysis

DURING A DAYTIME APPROACH TO A RIVER, THE PILOT OF FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN OVER THE AREA TO LOOK FOR OBSTRUCTIONS, BUT HAD FAILED TO OBSERVE THE LINES ACROSS THE RIVER.  ON FINAL APPROACH, THE VERTICAL STABILIZER STRUCK THE WIRES.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.  SUNGLARE FROM THE SURFACE OF THE WATER, WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N76101 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268124
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Morrison And Sylvester, Inc
- Registered owner: Morrison And Sylvester, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1991
- Departed: NONE, TURNER, ME
- Destination: NONE, HOWLAND, ME
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 690 total, 500 in this make and model, 630 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19911009045579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911009045579A), Oct 9, 1991: Cessna 172N, Lincoln, ME, Substantial damage. Attempting to land on a river,struck wires. Continued flight with top portion of vertical stabilizer torn off.

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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