Cessna 172N accident near Concord, North Carolina, November 17, 1998
On November 17, 1998, a Cessna 172N, registered N92KK, was substantially damaged in an accident near Concord, North Carolina (Concord Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper in-flight decision and his failure to maintain clearance during approach that resulted in collision with utility lines. Related factors were dark night, trees and low ceilings.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 17, 1998
- Place
- Concord, North Carolina · Concord Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N92KK · registry record · serial 17267908
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot unsuccessfully executed six instrument approaches; five at Charlotte, NC and the last approach to the Concord Regional Airport, NC. After the fourth approach, the pilot reported he was low on fuel and that he had gyro problems. The pilot diverted to Concord where the weather was reportedly better. While conducting the missed approach for the ILS Runway 20 approach to Concord Regional Airport, the pilot reported that he saw the lights from a nearby truck stop. Air traffic control then advised the pilot that the airport was at his twelve-thirty position. The airplane subsequently collided with 45-foot high utility lines, and trees, about one-quarter mile northwest of the airport. Examination of the airplane did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 835 hours in all; 687 in this make and model; 97 in the last 90 days; 45 in the last 30 days; 615 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,952 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 13, 1998; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2HD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FTV Fayettville TN at 9:00 pm
- Destination: CLT Charolette NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 20, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 120° at 4 knots
- Sky: overcast at 200 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:54 pm from CLT, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ATL99FA020.