Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Springfield, Illinois
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
STK Holding LLC
Flightline FBO training aircraft
Location: Murphysboro, Illinois
Accident Number: CEN22LA120
Date and Time: February 12, 2022, 17:57 Local
Registration: N737SY
Aircraft: Cessna 172N
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
Analysis
The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings during a solo instructional flight at the time of the accident. She completed 7 landings without incident, and the accident approach was to be the final landing. The pilot reported that the runway was in sight, but she did not see the power lines. The airplane hit the lines and subsequently impacted the ground below the lines. The airframe sustained damage to the fuselage and left wing. According to the pilot, there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane before the accident. The accident occurred about 24 minutes after sunset and about 3 minutes before the end of civil twilight. The runway was equipped with Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system. An inspection of the system after the accident revealed that it was operating normally at that time.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during approach for landing.
Findings
Aircraft Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Identification/recognition - Pilot
Environmental issues Wire - Effect on operation
Environmental issues Low light - Effect on personnel
Factual Information
History of Flight
Approach-VFR pattern final Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Student
Age: 19,Female
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: May 17, 2020
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: December 8, 2021
Flight Time: 76 hours (Total, all aircraft), 76 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N737SY
Model/Series: 172N
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 17269650
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: November 16, 2021 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 83.8 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8800.8 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed Engine Model/Series: O-320-H2AD
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 160 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: MDH,411 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0.81 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 17:52 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 350°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots / 0 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 360°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.39 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 6°C / 11°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Murphysboro, IL (MDH)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Murphysboro, IL (MDH)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 17:01 Local Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: Southern Illinois MDH
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 411 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 36R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6506 ft / 100 ft VFR
Approach/Landing: Full stop; Traffic pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 37.76515,-89.248861