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Casualties unknown

Airplane Strikes Cellular Tower During Traffic Watch Flight (N3107V)

Highland Hills, OH, US

On January 23, 1996, a Cessna R172K (registration N3107V) operated by Traffik, Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Highland Hills, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions at a low altitude with known obstacles in the area. 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 airplane on a morning traffic watch flight struck a 300-foot cellular phone tower at about 290 feet after encountering dense fog. The pilots had discussed cutting the route short due to deteriorating weather conditions.

Overview

A pilot reported that she and the pilot of the accident airplane were scheduled to fly an early morning traffic watch route with traffic reporter passengers. She took off first and relayed pertinent weather information to the accident pilot via VHF radio. The weather conditions were described as marginal visual meteorological conditions (VMC), with deteriorating conditions in the southeast portion of the planned route. The pilots discussed the possibility of cutting the morning traffic report short if conditions continued to worsen.

Weather Information

The first pilot informed the accident pilot that weather conditions were marginal VMC, with deteriorating conditions in the southeast portion of the route. No further official weather characterization was provided.

Witness Accounts

Witnesses on the ground near the accident site stated that a very dense fog had developed, and the top of a nearby tower was no longer visible from the ground. They reported hearing a loud popping sound and then observed the airplane falling to the ground.

Investigation

Postaccident investigation revealed that the airplane impacted a 300-foot cellular phone tower at approximately the 290-foot level. No other details about the aircraft or its occupants were provided in the source.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Jan 1996 Cessna R172K accident near Highland Hills, OH?

An airplane on a morning traffic watch flight struck a 300-foot cellular phone tower at about 290 feet after encountering dense fog. The pilots had discussed cutting the route short due to deteriorating weather conditions.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Jan 1996 involved a Cessna R172K, registration N3107V, operated by Traffik, Inc, at Highland Hills, OH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions at a low altitude with known obstacles in the area.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05099. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.