Casualties unknown

Airplane Strikes Utility Wire and Collides with Terrain (N3944N)

Paintersville, OH, US

On August 9, 1995, a Beech 35 (registration N3944N) was involved in an aviation accident near Paintersville, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING, AND THE WEATHER CONDITIONS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During cruise flight, an airplane contacted a utility wire suspended 30 feet above ground, then struck trees and terrain about 850 feet beyond. A nearby weather facility reported ceiling 300 feet and visibility 3/4 mile; the pilot did not receive a weather briefing.

Accident Sequence

The accident occurred while the airplane was operating in cruise flight. During this phase, the airplane made contact with an electrical utility wire that was suspended approximately 30 feet above the ground. The wire was severed as a result of the impact. Subsequently, the airplane collided with trees and then the terrain. The final resting place of the aircraft was about 850 feet past the point where the wire had been broken.

Weather Conditions

At the time of the accident, a weather reporting facility located roughly 30 miles northwest of the accident site recorded a ceiling of 300 feet and visibility of 3/4 mile.

Pilot Briefing

According to records from the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Service Station (FAA FSS), the pilot did not receive a weather briefing from any of their facilities prior to the accident.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04163. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.