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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 25, 1988 · Cessna 172N · N213JA

Port Royal, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 25, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Port Royal, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N213JA
Operator
Hanover Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO88LA075

THE PILOT DEPARTED FREDERICKSBURG, VA, FOR A POWER LINE PATROL FLIGHT IN PORT ROYAL, VA. AFTER INTERSECTING THE POWER LINES AT THE SUBSTATION, THE PATROL WAS INITIATED FLYING 10 FT ABOVE AND 20 FT TO THE LEFT OF THE LINES. THE PLT STATED HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD OUTSIDE THE ACFT WHEN HE FELT THE ACFT CONTACT THE POWER LINES. CONTACT WITH TWO LINES RESULTED IN THE SEPARATION OF 4 FT OF THE RUDDER, ELEVATOR DAMAGE, AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FLAP. THE PLT CONTINUED THE FLT AND RETURNED TO SHANNON ARPT AFTER DECLARING AN EMERGENCY WITH QUANTICO MARINE BASE ATCT. THE PLT MADE A LONG STRAIGHT-IN APCH TO RWY 23 AND LANDED THE ACFT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT DEPARTED FREDERICKSBURG, VA, FOR A POWER LINE PATROL FLIGHT IN PORT ROYAL, VA. AFTER INTERSECTING THE POWER LINES AT THE SUBSTATION, THE PATROL WAS INITIATED FLYING 10 FT ABOVE AND 20 FT TO THE LEFT OF THE LINES. THE PLT STATED HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD OUTSIDE THE ACFT WHEN HE FELT THE ACFT CONTACT THE POWER LINES. CONTACT WITH TWO LINES RESULTED IN THE SEPARATION OF 4 FT OF THE RUDDER, ELEVATOR DAMAGE, AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FLAP. THE PLT CONTINUED THE FLT AND RETURNED TO SHANNON ARPT AFTER DECLARING AN EMERGENCY WITH QUANTICO MARINE BASE ATCT. THE PLT MADE A LONG STRAIGHT-IN APCH TO RWY 23 AND LANDED THE ACFT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 EDT
Nearest AirportSHANNON (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN213JA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHanover Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 22 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 4 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time12:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data