# NTSB FTW84LA208: Cessna 172N, N5454J, Mullin, TX, April 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1984, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Mullin, TX
- Coordinates: 31.549234, -98.659736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5492&lon=-98.6597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA208

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES TO HAVE BEEN FLYING VERY LOW, PARALLELING HIGHWAY 84. A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS PARALLEL THE HIGHWAY. BETWEEN THE RR TRACKS AND HWY IS A POWER LINE. THE WITNESSES SAW THE LEFT WING CONTACT THE PWR LINE AND THE ACFT ROLL TO THE LEFT, COLLIDING WITH THE GND NEARLY INVERTED. POWER CABLE WAS FOUND WRAPPED AROUND THE PROPELLER HUB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5454J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273800
- Airframe hours: 329
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Airmaster Aviation Co.
- Registered owner: Hugh D. Russell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1984, 21 hours before
- Departed: F34, GOLDTHWAITE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 67 total, 5 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPL, 65 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 19840422014829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840422014829A), Apr 22, 1984: Cessna 172N, Mullin, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed after it struck powerline during low level flight near railroad and highway.

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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