# NTSB DEN90LA191: Cessna 172L, N746JG, Mason, TX, September 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1990, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Mason, TX
- Coordinates: 30.740444, -99.230072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7404&lon=-99.2301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17994
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17994/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA191

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ATP PILOT AND AN OBSERVER WERE MANEUVERING TO AVOID BUZZARDS, DURING AN AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT. THE PILOT AND THE PASSENGER WERE DEPUTIES, SEARCHING FOR REPORTED SHOOTING VICTIMS. THE PILOT SAID THE PLANE STRUCK AN UNMARKED CABLE AT 300 FEET AGL AND THE PROPELLER WAS DEFORMED. THE PLANE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A BRUSH COVERED HILL TOP. THE ENGINE COWLING, BOTH WINGS AND THE LANDING GEAR WERE DAMAGED. THE RIGHT WING SPAR WAS BENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N746JG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N746JG-1991-05-17), registration cancelled 1991-05-17, S/N 17260135 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260135
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Ray W. Tschirhart
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 26,306 total, 150 in this make and model, 20,301 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900920041269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900920041269A), Sep 20, 1990: Cessna 172L, Mason, TX, Substantial damage. Maneuvering to avoid buzzards during search for shooting victims. Hit cable landed brushy hilltop. Bent wing spar.

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.

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