Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW95LA173

OAKGROVE, AR, USA

Aircraft #1

N49696

CESSNA 152

Analysis

THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TWO POWER LINES DURING A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING. THE LINES IMPACTED THE 'EXHAUST AND CRIMPED IT OFF RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER.' NEITHER THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR NOR THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED SEEING THE WIRES PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR MADE A FORCED LANDING; HOWEVER, DUE TO 'WET GRASS AND MUD' THE AIRPLANE SLID THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE AND IMPACTED A FEEDER TROUGH.

Factual Information

On April 19, 1995, at 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N49696, was substantially damaged after impacting a wire and subsequent forced landing near Oakgrove, Arkansas. The flight instructor and his student were not injured. The aircraft was being operated by The School of the Ozarks under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Clark Airport near Point Lookout, Missouri, at 1315 CDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight and a flight plan was not filed. During a personal interview, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, and on the enclosed Pilot/Operator report, the flight instructor reported that while performing a simulated forced landing, the aircraft struck two power lines. The lines impacted the "exhaust and crimped it off resulting in a loss of power." Neither the flight instructor nor the student pilot reported seeing the wires prior to impact. The flight instructor landed the aircraft in a field; however, due to "wet grass and mud" the airplane slid through a barbed wire fence and impacted a feeder trough. Structural damage occurred to the rudder, stabilizer, and elevator.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. FACTOR'S WERE THE INSTRUCTOR'S DECISION TO ALLOW THE SIMULATION TO CONTINUE TO SUCH A LOW ALTITUDE AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR FORCED LANDING.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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