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NTSB Report
November 8, 1991 · Cessna 172N · N739WS
Okeechobee, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 8, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Okeechobee, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N739WS
Operator
Okeechobee Co Sheriff S Office
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA92GA024
THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTING AN AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE LOOKING FOR 2 MISSING FISHERMEN ON LAKE OKEECHOBEE. WHILE DESCENDING TO 125 FT AGL, A BOAT WAS SPOTTED OFF THE LEFT WING. THE AIRPLANE TURNED TOWARDS THE BOAT DESCENDING WITH THE LANDING LIGHT ON. WHILE OVERFLYING THE BOAT, THE LANDING LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE PILOT LATER STATED THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHAT APPEARED TO BE HAZE, WITH NO VISUAL SIGHTING OF THE WATER. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH THE WATER AND NOSED OVER. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE NIGHT WAS VERY DARK WITH PATCHY GROUND FOG.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DURING A LOW PASS AT NIGHT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LIKELY SPATIAL DISORIENTATION DUE TO THE LACK OF SURFACE VISUAL CLUES, THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS, AND THE PATCHY FOG CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTING AN AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE LOOKING FOR 2 MISSING FISHERMEN ON LAKE OKEECHOBEE. WHILE DESCENDING TO 125 FT AGL, A BOAT WAS SPOTTED OFF THE LEFT WING. THE AIRPLANE TURNED TOWARDS THE BOAT DESCENDING WITH THE LANDING LIGHT ON. WHILE OVERFLYING THE BOAT, THE LANDING LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE PILOT LATER STATED THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHAT APPEARED TO BE HAZE, WITH NO VISUAL SIGHTING OF THE WATER. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH THE WATER AND NOSED OVER. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE NIGHT WAS VERY DARK WITH PATCHY GROUND FOG.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:09 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN739WS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorOkeechobee Co Sheriff S Office
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind300° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 68 F
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time04:50
Weather SourceWFAC