Cessna 172M N5207R

Summary

On 6 February 1998 at about 16:00 local time, a Cessna 172M registered N5207R was involved in an accident near Port Lavaca, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 February 1998 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Port Lavaca, Texas, United States

Coordinates

28.6090, -96.6210

Aircraft

Cessna 172M

Registration

N5207R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Victoria → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA122

1 person was seriously injured.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.