N9374H

On January 22, 2004, approximately 0950 central standard time, a Cessna 182R single-engine airplane, N9374H, was substantially damaged upon impacting a support wire for a tower near Ringgold, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to United Helicopters Incorporated DBA and operated by the Barr Patrol of Mesquite, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Mesquite Metro Airport (HQZ), near Mesquite, Texas, at 0820, and was destined to the Guymon Municipal Airport (GUY), near Guymon, Oklahoma.

The 16,000-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was flying on a pipeline patrol 1.5 miles north of Ringgold, Texas, on a heading of 335 degrees. He further reported that the weather was "clear but with a gray haze to the north." With the prevailing weather conditions, the pilot stated that the unlit tower was hard to see, and "by the time I saw it, it was too late to take evasive action."

During a telephone interview, conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported the airplane was at an altitude of 300 feet agl and shortly after impact with the "support wire," he "deemed the airplane flyable and proceeded to evaluate its maneuverability." He climbed to 2,500 msl and slowed the airplane down to 60 knots and assessed the controllability in a landing configuration. The pilot then elected to return to HQZ.

Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the outboard 18 inches of the right wing was severed. The pilot stated, "I couldn't see the extent of the wing damage from where I was sitting."

The unlit tower was depicted on the sectional chart.