THE DTSB
The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be pilot error, in that the pilot elected to fly extremely low over a river for unknown reasons, upon where he struck a powerline that crossed the river perpendicular to his path.
C-FITAQP: 7a) TERRAIN COLLISION – POWERLINES
Cessna 172M | N9160H
- DTSB analysis published
Key facts
- DateFebruary 16, 2024
- Local time10:20 AM
- LightDay
- WeatherVMC
- Phase of flightManeuvering
- People on board1
- Fatalities1
- NTSB numberERA24LA114
- NTSB statusUnder investigation
Accident Location
- City, State
- TUSCALOOSA, Alabama
- Latitude
- 33.439167
- Longitude
- -87.373611
Aircraft Info
- N Number
- N9160H
- Make
- Cessna
- Model
- 172M
- Category / Class
- Aircraft Single Engine Land
- Amateur Built
- No
Pilot Info
- Pilot in command
- Todd, Edward
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 67
- Certification
- Commercial Pilot
- IFR rating
- Yes
- Medical
- 2nd Class Medical
- Flight school
- No
- Instructional flight
- No
Analysis
- Weather
- VMC
- Time of day
- Day
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Pilot error
- Yes
- Pilot incapacitation
- No
- People on board
- 1
- PIC fatality
- 1
- Total fatalities
- 1
- NTSB number
- ERA24LA114
- NTSB travel
- No
- NTSB report
- Download report →
- AQP category
- 7a) TERRAIN COLLISION – POWERLINES →
Probable Cause
NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to see and avoid powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude.
Recommendation
THE DTSB
The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft fly with such sufficient altitude and energy that collision with ground based objects is not possible, and such that if a powerplant fails, a reasonable off field landing can be accomplished.
NTSB
None issued. NTSB recommendations are rare and usually tied to high-profile accidents.
See the NTSB Recommendation Tracker →