N775NA

On February 22, 1996, at 1007 central standard time, a Cessna 172P, N775NA, was substantially damaged upon impact with power lines while maneuvering near Iowa, Louisiana. The airline transport rated pilot sustained serious injuries, while his passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was being operated by Gulf Air Enterprises, Inc., of Thibodaux, Louisiana, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Houma, Louisiana. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and an IFR flight plan was filed.

According Air Traffic Control personnel at the Chennault Industrial Airport, the airplane executed an instrument approach to the Chennault Industrial Airport, and when clear of cloud, proceeded VFR to their destination airport, the Morgan's private airstrip. The Morgan airstrip is located approximately 5 miles east of Chennault. The airstrip is owned by Gulf Air Enterprises and is used primarily for agricultural spraying operations.

According to witnesses at the airstrip, the was airplane was observed approaching the 1,800 foot sod airstrip downwind from the south, and it appeared to be "high and fast". After touching down within the first 1/3 of the runway, the pilot "noticed that his ground roll speed was fast" and he elected to abort the landing by applying full power. The airplane became airborne past the mid field point and the pilot retracted the flaps and established the best angle of climb speed to attempt to clear the power lines at the departure end of the strip. During climbout, the rear of the fuselage impacted the power lines resulting in a loss of control.

In the enclosed narrative, the pilot stated that during his approach to the Chenault Airport, he was given the winds from 220 degrees at 12 knots.

Post-accident examination of the airframe, engine, and systems, did not reveal any pre-mishap anomalies that would have prevented normal operations.