Cessna 172P N96811

Summary

On 16 March 2002 at about 00:35 local time, a Cessna 172P registered N96811 was involved in an accident near Ocean City, Maryland, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 March 2002 at 00:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Ocean City, Maryland, United States

Nearest airport

Ocean City Municipal Airport (OXB)

Coordinates

38.2936, -75.1006

Aircraft

Cessna 172P

Registration

N96811

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Stevensville → Ocean City

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

IAD02FA037

4 people died.

The pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in his subsequent loss of control of the airplane. A factor was the dark night, over water visual conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was over water, making a night VFR approach to a coastal airport. Witnesses observed it suddenly transition from horizontal flight, to a vertical descent into the ocean. According to a witness flying in the area at the time, the accident airplane went over a "black hole," and he saw "strobe over strobe" before it disappeared. The witness also noted that disorientation around the airport at night was common because of the ocean. The accident occurred on a clear, dark night, with no illumination from the moon. Examination of the airframe, systems, avionics, and engine did not reveal any evidence of a pre-impact mechanical malfunction. Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed that the left wing leading edge was crushed aft, to the wing spar. The pilot was not instrument-rated, but had received instrument training under a hood in VFR conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.