Cessna 172N N6323G

Summary

On 15 August 1998 at about 14:38 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N6323G was involved in an accident near Cord, Arkansas, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 August 1998 at 14:38

Classification

Accident

Location

Cord, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

35.7990, -91.3001

Aircraft

Cessna 172N

Registration

N6323G

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Newport → Walnut Ridge

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98FA358

1 person died.

The pilot's performance of low altitude flight and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with a power line while maneuvering at low altitude. Witnesses observed the airplane flying at 'treetop height' along a river. The passenger reported that as they flew around a sharp bend in the river, he saw the power line crossing the river. Damage to the leading edge of the left wing indicated that the airplane was in a steep right bank when the left wing contacted the wires, which were an estimated 50 to 75 feet agl. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the river and sank. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of any mechanical discrepancies. The 17-year-old private pilot had accumulated a total flight time of about 85 hours and had flown the accident airplane 15 to 20 hours since obtaining his private pilot certificate 2 months prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.