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NTSB Report
September 15, 1991 · Cessna 172K · N78239
Greeneville, TN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (6 uninjured)
Location
Greeneville, TN
Aircraft
Cessna 172K
Tail Number
N78239
Operator
Broyles William T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL91LA175
BOTH PILOTS HAD PLANNED LOCAL SIGHTSEEING NIGHT FLIGHTS. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE ON AN EASTERLY HEADING, WITH N78239 (A C172K) IN FRONT OF N73L (A C172D). THE AIRCRAFT WERE IN RADIO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER AND ATC WAS NOT INVOLVED. N78239 INITIATED A 360-DEGREE TURN, AND VISUALLY ACQUIRED THE LIGHTS OF N73L AFTER RESUMING AN EASTERLY HEADING. THE PILOT OF N78239 STATED THAT 'SUDDENLY WE HIT!' ALTHOUGH AT THE TIME HE THOUGHT THE SPACING BETWEEN AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 2 MILES. N78239 LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT DESPITE FLIGHT CONTROL PROBLEMS. N73L LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL UPON LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED AIRPLANE. INSPECTION OF BOTH AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT N78239 STRUCK N73L FROM THE REAR, THE RIGHT WING LEADING EDGE OF N78239 CONTACTING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR OF N73L. THE IMPACT BROKE THE WING SPAR OF N78239 AND SEPARATED THE LEFT MAIN GEAR FROM N73L.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF N78239, AND HIS FAILURE TO ACCURATELY JUDGE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO AIRCRAFT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS AND THE RESULTING VISUAL PERCEPTION OF AIRCRAFT LIGHTING IN DARK CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
BOTH PILOTS HAD PLANNED LOCAL SIGHTSEEING NIGHT FLIGHTS. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE ON AN EASTERLY HEADING, WITH N78239 (A C172K) IN FRONT OF N73L (A C172D). THE AIRCRAFT WERE IN RADIO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER AND ATC WAS NOT INVOLVED. N78239 INITIATED A 360-DEGREE TURN, AND VISUALLY ACQUIRED THE LIGHTS OF N73L AFTER RESUMING AN EASTERLY HEADING. THE PILOT OF N78239 STATED THAT 'SUDDENLY WE HIT!' ALTHOUGH AT THE TIME HE THOUGHT THE SPACING BETWEEN AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 2 MILES. N78239 LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT DESPITE FLIGHT CONTROL PROBLEMS. N73L LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL UPON LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED AIRPLANE. INSPECTION OF BOTH AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT N78239 STRUCK N73L FROM THE REAR, THE RIGHT WING LEADING EDGE OF N78239 CONTACTING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR OF N73L. THE IMPACT BROKE THE WING SPAR OF N78239 AND SEPARATED THE LEFT MAIN GEAR FROM N73L.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172K
Tail NumberN78239
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBroyles William T
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150 | Continental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (6 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured6
Total6
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class
Crew 2Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind60° @ 3 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC