- Date
- November 22, 1996, 14:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place
- Chesterfield, MO
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N704DRCessna 150
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report August 25, 1997
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19961122036319A
- Case key
- 10494
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 pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was practicing a simulated emergency landing to what appeared to be a landing strip. During the simulated final approach, a wire strike occurred. He wrote that he 'knew immediately what had happened.' He recovered the airplane to the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, and landed without further incident. Examination of the airplane revealed the lower cowl and propeller exhibited evidence of arcing and metal flow. One aileron was substantially damaged. A 200-foot piece of copper wire was removed from the airplane.
Factual narrative
On November 22, 1996, at 1425 central standard time, a Cessna 150, N704DR, operated by Midwest Air Service, Inc., was substantially damaged when it collided with power lines while maneuvering near Chesterfield, Missouri. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The local, personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, Chesterfield, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was practicing a simulated emergency landing to "what appeared to be a landing strip." During the simulated final approach, "the wire strike occurred." He wrote that he "knew immediately what had happened." He recovered the airplane to the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, and landed, without further incident.
The airplane was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector. She reported that the lower cowl and propeller exhibited evidence of "arcing" and "metal flow." One aileron was substantially damaged. A 200 foot piece of copper wire was removed from the airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N704DR
- Reported as
- Cessna 150
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15078533
- Airframe hours
- 8,140
- Engine
- Continental O-200, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Midwest Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · November 13, 1996 · 6 hours before
- Departed
- SUS
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 44
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 713 total · 276 in this make and model · 595 as pilot in command · 36 in the last 90 days · 27 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Temperature
- 45 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.