DEN08CA087

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 172H · Brookshire, TX · May 11, 2008

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
May 10, 2008, 23:30 local (May 11, 2008, 04:30 UTC)
Place
Brookshire, TX
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N3870RCessna 172H
Defining event
Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
Status
Completed · report June 30, 2008
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
20080510833649A
Case key
68007

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's decision to duck under marked transmission lines and his failure to maintain clearance from the fence. Contributing to the accident was the marked transmission lines.

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.

Performance/control parameters: altitudeAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedCessna 172H: 4 casesAll aircraft: 1,310 casesProbable cause
Object/animal/substance: wireEnvironmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcomeCessna 172H: 1 caseAll aircraft: 588 casesProbable cause
Object/animal/substance: fence/fence postEnvironmental issues › Physical environment · Not specifiedCessna 172H: 1 caseAll aircraft: 313 cases

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 unqualified private pilot was practicing visual approaches and landings on a dark night. On his fourth or fifth pattern, the airplane was taking off following a full-flap touch-and- go when it struck a fence and impacted in a field past the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated he landed about one-third down the 4,100 foot runway and the roll out was longer than normal, but elected to attempt another approach. During climb out the pilot saw the orange marker balls on the power lines off the departure end of the runway, realized he could not clear them, and was attempting to dive under the wires when the airplane struck the fence. The pilot also stated the airplane was operating normally at the time of the accident and there were no engine or flight control malfunctions. Examination of the airplane revealed the right wing spar was bent upward. The pilot had not completed a biannual flight review within the past 24 months and did not meet currency requirements for carrying passengers as required by Federal Aviation Regulations.

Factual narrative

The private pilot was practicing visual approaches and landings on a dark night with one non-rated passenger. On his fourth or fifth pattern, the airplane was taking off following a full-flap touch and go when it struck a fence and impacted in a field past the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated he landed about one-third down the 4,100 foot runway and the roll out was longer than normal, but elected to attempt another approach. During climb out the pilot saw the orange marker balls on the power lines off the departure end of the runway, realized he could not clear them, and was attempting to dive under the wires when the airplane struck the fence. The pilot also stated the airplane was operating normally at the time of the accident and there were no engine or flight control malfunctions. Examination of the airplane revealed the right wing spar was bent upward.

Information provided by the pilot on the Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report shows the pilot's last flight review was 1 April, 2006. Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 61.56 states a pilot must accomplish a flight review within 24 months of their last flight review in order to act as pilot in command. According to Federal Aviation Administration officials, the pilot failed to meet the currency requirements for carrying passengers as stated in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 61.57(a)1 and 61.57(b)1.

Aircraft

Registration
N3870R
Reported as
Cessna 172H
Category
Airplane
Serial number
17255370
Airframe hours
2,762
Engine
Continental O-300, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
First Takeoff, LLC
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · February 1, 2008
Departed
Brookshire, TX
Airport
27XS · Sports Flyer Estates, runway 17, 4,100 × 150 ft, grass/turf

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
55
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3
Seat
Left
Flight hours
500 total · 75 in this make and model · 450 as pilot in command · 3 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
Wind
Calm
Temperature
75 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.