# NTSB CEN15CA095: Cessna 152, N787PB, Mount Pleasant, TX, December 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 8, 2014, 16:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Mount Pleasant, TX - Coordinates: 33.093887, -94.887496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0939&lon=-94.8875&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 90568 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90568/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90568 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA095 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane at low altitude resulting in the airplane impacting power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Light condition: bright light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed the airport for a local flight. During the flight he observed family and friends on the ground and he maneuvered the airplane to overfly them at low altitude. The airplane struck power lines as the pilot set up for the flyover, and both ailerons and outboard portions of each wing separated. The pilot maintained control of the airplane until approaching the airport for landing. When the pilot reduced power to land, the airplane rolled to one side and impacted the ground near the runway. The pilot stated he did not see the wires due to the location of the sun. ## Factual narrative The pilot departed the airport for a local flight. During the flight he observed family and friends on the ground and he maneuvered the airplane to overfly them at low altitude. The airplane struck power lines as the pilot set up for the flyover, and both ailerons and outboard portions of each wing separated. The pilot maintained control of the airplane until approaching the airport for landing. When the pilot reduced power to land, the airplane rolled to one side and impacted the ground near the runway. The pilot stated he did not see the wires due to the location of the sun. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N787PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N787PB-2016-06-23), registration cancelled 2016-06-23, S/N 15280939, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15280939 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3824 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Capps Aviation Services LLC - Registered owner: Capps Aviation Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 2014 - Departed: OSA, Mount Pleasant, TX - Destination: OSA, Mount Pleasant, TX - Airport: OSA, Mount Pleasant Rgnl ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: left; flight hours: 1,776 total, 39 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KOSA, 4 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 20141208023299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141208023299A), Dec 8, 2014: Cessna 152, Mt Pleasant, TX, Destroyed. While in a left hand bank the aircraft struck powerlines which sheared 5 feet of wing off the right hand side and 2 feet of wing off the left hand side. Impact… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90568. 2.9 MB in all. - Memorandum of FAA Notes (item 1, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421094&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20FAA%20Notes-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421095&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Power Lines (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421096&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Power%20Lines%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.