On August 27, 1989, a Cessna 172 (registration N4129F) was involved in an aviation accident near Tremonton, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to see and avoid an unmarked power line during a low pass maneuver, which resulted in the separation of the vertical stabilizer and rudder and subsequent crash. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An airplane struck an unmarked power line while conducting a low pass over a newly constructed interstate highway, resulting in the separation of the vertical stabilizer and rudder before crashing into an open field.
What happened
The pilot was operating an aircraft during a low pass maneuver over a newly constructed interstate highway. During this phase of the flight, the airplane collided with an unmarked power line situated along the highway corridor. The impact caused significant structural failure to the airframe; specifically, a large portion of the vertical stabilizer and the rudder separated from the airplane.
Following the loss of critical control surfaces and aerodynamic stability, the aircraft descended rapidly. It crashed into an open field located approximately 1500 feet beyond the point where it had struck the power line.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to see and avoid an unmarked power line during a low pass maneuver, which resulted in the separation of the vertical stabilizer and rudder and subsequent crash.
What happened in the 27 Aug 1989 Cessna 172 accident near Tremonton, UT?
An airplane struck an unmarked power line while conducting a low pass over a newly constructed interstate highway, resulting in the separation of the vertical stabilizer and rudder before crashing into an open field.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 27 Aug 1989 involved a Cessna 172, registration N4129F, at Tremonton, UT.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to see and avoid an unmarked power line during a low pass maneuver, which resulted in the separation of the vertical stabilizer and rudder and subsequent crash.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…