# NTSB SEA92FA013: Cessna 172N, N733QL, Columbus, MT, October 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1991, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, MT
- Coordinates: 45.719787, -109.230751 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7198&lon=-109.2308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92FA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41559/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA013

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S OPERATION AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE OVER THE RIVER AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE POWER LINES.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WIRES CROSSING THE RIVER AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN CHOOSING TO OPERATE AT LOW ALTITUDES ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS DEPARTED BILLINGS, MONTANA, AT 1421 ON A LOCAL VFR FLIGHT INN THE CESSNA 172N.  SHORTLY THEREAFTER SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT OPERATING AT TREETOP LEVEL WESTBOUND IN THE VICINITY OF THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER.  ONE WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT IMPACT THE WATER.  ON SITE EXAMINATION REVEALED IMPACT MARKS ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER CONSISTENT WITH A WIRE STRIKE.  POWER LINES SUSPENDED 40 FFET ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE RIVER WERE OBSERVED TO HAVE IMPACT RELATED DAMAGE AT A LOCATION NEAR WHERE THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733QL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733QL-1993-11-29), registration cancelled 1993-11-29, S/N 17268465 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268465
- Airframe hours: 4075
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Corporate Air
- Registered owner: Corporate Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 30, 1991, 25 hours before
- Departed: BIL, BILLINGS, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 114 total, 49 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 31.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVM, 41 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 19911018047149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911018047149A), Oct 18, 1991: Cessna 172N, Columbus, MT, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Empennage struck powerline stretched over river. Crashed into water. Was observed low,following river.

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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