ATL95LA010

While on a local solo training flight, the airplane collided with electrical transmission lines that were about 30 feet above the ground. The airplane rotated 180 degrees and came to rest in a river, upright and partially submerged. Water depth was about four feet. The uninjured, student pilot waded to shore and awaited rescue. He stated in his report that he suffered a total lapse of judgement, and decided to buzz a deserted stretch of the river. Shortly thereafter, the airplane collided with the wires.

On November 2, 1994, about 1615 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N48720, collided with the ground, following an in-flight collision with electrical transmission wires, near Rock Hill, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by Ksena Corporation under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the local, solo, instructional flight. The student pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was the Rock Hill Airport, Rock Hill, South Carolina, about 1520.

An emergency management official for South Carolina reported that the airplane struck electrical transmission wires, then came to rest, partially submerged, in the Catawba River. Three wires were severed about 50 feet above the ground. The operator of the airplane, and the emergency management official stated that the pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions of the airplane.

The pilot stated that he decided to "buzz" the Catawba River. While flying over a deserted stretch of the river about 30 feet above the surface, the airplane struck two power lines. Under the recommendation section of his report, the pilot said "Total lapse of judgement on my part."