Cessna 172 N55234

Summary

On 7 November 2017 at about 20:00 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N55234 was involved in an accident near Bonners Ferry, Idaho, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 November 2017 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Bonners Ferry, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

Boundary County (65S)

Coordinates

48.7022, -116.2433

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N55234

Category

Airplane

Year built

2014

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bonners Ferry → Coeur D'Alene

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA044

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, about 50 ft above the ground during a "low recon" over a river bar, he did not see power lines crossing the river until they were about 10 ft in front of the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane's empennage struck the wires; he then added power and initiated a climb. He returned to the airport and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.