# NTSB ATL94LA086: Ferguson Fergy II, N71797, Nashville, TN, April 25, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1994, 18:18 local (23:18 UTC)
- Place: Nashville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.049293, -86.969871 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0493&lon=-86.9699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3376/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA086

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM A UTILITY WIRE DURING CLIMBOUT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING  THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM THE SOD AIRSTRIP, HE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND WHICH CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO COLLIDE WITH A UTILITY LINE ON THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE NEAREST WEATHER REPORTING SITE REPORTED LIGHT WINDS WITH NO GUST. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On April 25, 1994, at 1818 central daylight time, a Freguson Fergy II, N71797, collided with utility lines during climbout from a private airstrip near Nashville, Tennessee. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Oakley field in Nashville at 1805 hours.

According to the pilot, during the initial climbout, the airplane encountered a gust of wind that resulted in the left wing colliding with utility lines on the departure end of the Runway 36. Nashville was reporting light winds with no gust at the time of the accident. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71797](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71797-1994-07-14), registration cancelled 1994-07-14, S/N F0010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FERGUSON FERGY II
- Registry model: [Ferguson WM C FERGY II](https://openairdocs.org/model/ferguson-wm-c-fergy-ii) (registry code 056183J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 225
- Engines: ROTAX 503 46 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawson, Bura V. Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1993, 40 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 40 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 12 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19940425009269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940425009269A), Apr 25, 1994: Nashville, TN, Destroyed. Encountered downdraft on climbout. Forced down into a powerline.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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