ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 354820
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| Date: | Friday 6 February 1998 |
| Time: | 12:00 LT |
| Type: |  Cessna 172M |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N5207R |
| MSN: | 17263424 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1974 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 12866 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320-E2D |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Port Lavaca, TX -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Survey |
| Departure airport: | Victoria, TX (KVCT) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The airplane struck power lines during an aerial observation flight. Witnesses observed the airplane flying the power line (aircraft engine at full power), enter a climbing left turn, spin to the left, and descend toward the ground. Winds were from the north at 20 gusting to 30 knots. The pilot was dispatched by the director of operations. This was the pilot's first aerial observation flight for the company. The pilot had not received company training in the type of operation. Following the accident, the director of operations said that the pilot needed 'situational awareness' when flying the power lines, and on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 the operator recommended 'improving situational awareness and training.' The passenger/observer stated that the 'power line turned, the [air]plane didn't turn, the pilot never saw the line.' The observer reported that the engine was running fine until the airplane struck the wire. Flight control continuity was confirmed. There were no pre-impact discrepancies found with the airframe. The engine examination did not reveal any anomalies that would preclude full power engine operation prior to impact.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line. Factors were the gusty winds, the pilots lack of experience in the type of operation, inadequate training and insufficient standards/requirements by the company/operator management, and the power lines.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB FTW98LA122
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 11-Mar-2024 18:39 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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