Cessna 172N N73941

Summary

On 14 June 1996 at about 02:33 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N73941, operated by Memphis East Aviation, was involved in an accident near Arlington, Tennessee, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 June 1996 at 02:33

Classification

Accident

Location

Arlington, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Arlington Municipal (LCH)

Coordinates

35.2795, -89.6593

Aircraft

Cessna 172N

Registration

N73941

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Memphis East Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Humbolt → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

ATL96FA094

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance above the trees. A factor was the dark night.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to a friend of the pilot, when the flight departed there were no apparent airplane problems observed as he watched the airplane fly south for about ten minutes. The flight never arrived at the destination airport. After an alert notice was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, local law and volunteer groups initiated a search for the missing airplane. On June 17, 1996, at 1800 hours, the airplane wreckage was located in a wooded area two miles north of the destination airport. Examination of the accident site disclosed that aircraft collided with 65 foot tall trees, and wreckage debris was scattered over an area 250 feet long and 45 feet wide. Inspection of the airframe and engine assemblies failed to disclose a mechanical problem. A review of the pilot's medical history disclosed that he had coronary problems, and had been granted a limited class three medical certificate.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.