Cessna 172 accident near Jay, Florida, August 13, 2019
On August 13, 2019 at about 4:51 pm local time, a 1969 Cessna 172, registered N84287, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Jay, Florida. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to fly over a river at a very low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2019 · about 4:51 pm local time
- Place
- Jay, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 K, built 1969 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N84287 · no longer on the register · serial 17258409
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was operating the airplane on a 40-mile repositioning flight. After takeoff, GPS data showed that the pilot flew over a river at a low altitude for several miles, at some points as low as 30 ft above ground level (agl). As the airplane approached a sharp bend in the river, the pilot briefly climbed a few hundred feet, then subsequently performed a left descending turn and descended back down to the river, following it at an altitudes between 100 and 200 ft agl for an additional 1.5 miles. The airplane subsequently struck power lines spanning the river about 60 ft agl, damaging the airplane’s propeller and wings. The airplane subequently impacted a sandbar and the airframe was substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,012 hours in all; 798 in this make and model; 407 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: September 25, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,147.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 12, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 2,299 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 4,426 hours total
- Operator: Brewton Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 12J Brewton AL at 4:45 pm
- Destination: PNS Pensacola FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 1.5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; scat at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 81°F (27°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from NSE, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
13 documents, released by the NTSB on November 7, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation - Pilot Follow-up | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records Excerpt | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Garmin Gpsmap 496 Factual Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Garmin Gpsmap 496 - Attachment 1 | data file | Download |
| 9 | Garmin Gpsmap 496 - Attachment 2 | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Photo Array - Accident Site and Damage | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 11 | VFR Aeronautical Chart Showing River and Powerlines | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | GPS Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 13 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.