FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Wire Strike During Low-Level Flight Leads to River Crash (N62438)

Marseilles, IL, US

On September 5, 1990, a Boeing B75N1 (registration N62438) was involved in an aviation accident near Marseilles, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK TO AVOID COLLISION WITH A WIRE WHILE CONDUCTING INTENTIONAL LOW LEVEL FLIGHT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft conducting intentional low-level flight struck a wire, which became attached to the aircraft, causing it to descend into a river. The pilot sustained serious injuries; the passenger reported minor injuries.

Incident Overview

An aircraft involved in an intentional low-level flight operation struck a wire during the maneuver. The wire became entangled with the aircraft, which subsequently descended into a river. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft.

Injuries and Pilot Recall

The pilot sustained serious injuries in the accident. The passenger reported minor injuries. According to the report, the pilot does not recall details of the flight. The passenger stated he was reading a chart at the time of the collision and did not see the wire.

Context and Sequence

The flight was being conducted at a low altitude intentionally when the wire strike occurred. With the wire attached to the aircraft, it lost altitude and ended up in the river. No further information about the aircraft type, registration, or environmental conditions was provided in the source material.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Sept 1990 Boeing B75N1 accident near Marseilles, IL?

An aircraft conducting intentional low-level flight struck a wire, which became attached to the aircraft, causing it to descend into a river. The pilot sustained serious injuries; the passenger reported minor injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Sept 1990 Boeing B75N1 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Sept 1990 involved a Boeing B75N1, registration N62438, at Marseilles, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK TO AVOID COLLISION WITH A WIRE WHILE CONDUCTING INTENTIONAL LOW LEVEL FLIGHT.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X24219. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.