- Date
- February 12, 2009, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place
- Hilda, TX
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N23GXRemos G-3/600
- Defining event
- Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report May 6, 2010
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Central Region
- Parties
- Remos Aircraft Inc., FAA San Antonio FSDO
- FAA report
- 20090212053989A
- Case key
- 73435
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles while maneuvering at low altitude.
Findings · 5
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The flight instructor was demonstrating low-level operations when the left wing and the vertical stabilizer struck a cable suspended across the valley. The left wing stalled and the instructor pilot applied full power and right rudder, regaining control approximately 20 feet above the ground. He then continued to the destination for an uneventful landing. A postflight inspection showed superficial marks on the left wing and the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer. There were several structural tears and radial fractures in the aft end of the fuselage boom and the top and bottom seams of the smallest part of the fuselage boom were split for more than 18 inches.
Factual narrative
On February 12, 2009, approximately 1130 central standard time (CST), a Remos G-3/600 special light sport airplane (S-LSA), N23GX, was substantially damaged when it struck a cable suspended across a valley near Hilda, Texas. The flight instructor and the private pilot, who were the only occupants, were not injured. The airplane was registered to Remos Aircraft, Inc. and operated by the pilot. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight departed at 1125 from the Mason County Airport (T92) Mason, Texas, on a flight in visual meteorological conditions to the Gillespie County Airport (T82) Fredericksburg, Texas. The flight instructor was demonstrating low level operations when the left wing and the vertical stabilizer struck a cable suspended across the valley. The left wing stalled and the instructor pilot applied full power and right rudder regaining control at approximately 20 feet above the ground. He then continued to their destination for an uneventful landing. A post flight inspection showed superficial marks on the left wing and the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer. There were several structural tears and radial fractures in the aft end of the fuselage boom. The top and bottom seams of the smallest part of the fuselage boom were split for more than 18 inches.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N23GX
- Reported as
- Remos G-3/600
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 245
- Airframe hours
- 70
- Engine
- Rotax 912ULS, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection
- Condition · August 12, 2008
- Departed
- T92 · Mason, TX
- Destination
- T82 · Fredericksburg, TX
- Airport
- T92 · Mason County Airport
Flight crew · 2
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Flight instructor
- Age
- 43
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 3,800 total · 53 in this make and model · 3,600 as pilot in command
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 71
- Injuries
- None
- Certificates
- Private, Student
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Sport pilot
- Last flight review
- February 12, 2009
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 104 total · 4 in this make and model · 60 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 160° at 15 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 70 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.11 inHg
- Observed at
- KJCT, 34 nm away
Docket · 11
The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 24, 2010, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 4.7 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.