N757GX

Substantial
None

CESSNA 152S/N: 15279739

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
NTSB Number
ERA13CA230
Location
Americus, GA
Event ID
20130508X92836
Coordinates
32.154998, -84.323890
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s delayed decision to terminate the practice approach during a simulated loss of engine power maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with utility wires.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
15279739
Engine Type
4-cycle
Year Built
1977
Model / ICAO
152C152
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
152

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
WINGING IT AVIATION TWO LLC
Address
1316 W BEACH BLVD
City
GULF SHORES
State / Zip Code
AL 36542
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot and passenger were returning to the airplane’s home airport near the conclusion of a cross-country flight, when the pilot elected to perform a simulated loss of engine power and subsequent practice approach to a farm field. During the approach, the pilot descended the airplane to about the height of the irrigation system installed in the field, when he noticed a “glint of light” and instinctually applied full power, increased pitch, and rolled the airplane right. The airplane then contacted a utility wire, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot subsequently returned to the destination airport and landed uneventfully. When enumerating the factors that contributed to the accident, the pilot noted that his “…decision to continue the approach as long as I did also played a role.” The pilot also reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA13CA230