On July 6, 2002, a Cessna 172N (registration N738QT) was involved in an aviation accident near Otis, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with power lines while conducting low altitude flight resulting in a loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's low altitude flight and the power lines. 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.
A Cessna 172N on a personal flight from Salem, Oregon, struck power lines while maneuvering low over the Salmon River estuary, impacting the ground inverted.
Accident Summary
The pilot of a Cessna 172N departed Salem, Oregon, on a personal flight with one passenger. Shortly after 9 am, the aircraft was observed flying at low altitude in a westerly direction over the Salmon River estuary under visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. The airplane then pulled up into a climbing left turn before descending and impacting the ground in an inverted, nose-low attitude.
Investigation Details
Post-crash examination revealed that the aircraft had struck a set of three horizontally oriented power lines with its left wingtip. The power lines crossed the estuary approximately 60 feet above ground level near the point of aircraft contact, oriented on a magnetic bearing of 033/213 degrees.
What happened in the 6 Jul 2002 Cessna 172N accident near Otis, OR?
A Cessna 172N on a personal flight from Salem, Oregon, struck power lines while maneuvering low over the Salmon River estuary, impacting the ground inverted.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 6 Jul 2002 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N738QT, at Otis, OR.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with power lines while conducting low altitude flight resulting in a loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's low altitude flight and the power lines.
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…