FTW94FA203

The airplane departed the airport and flew to a gas plant 6 nautical miles to the south. A witness at the gas plant observed the airplane strike power lines, and almost collide with gasoline tanks and a small hill. The airplane was flown back to the airport. The pilot stated while landing, after touch down, he observed deer run onto the runway and into the path of the airplane. He stated that he added power to execute a go-around, and the airplane did not respond properly. A witness observed the airplane circling the airport and golf course at a 'very' low altitude several times. The airplane was then observed flying slow at a low altitude heading south along the number one fairway of the golf course. The airplane then made a steep left turn, the left wing struck a tree, nosed down, and impacted on the edge of the 7th fairway of the golf course.

History of flight

On June 20, 1994, approximately 2050 central daylight time, a Cessna 175B, N8103T, was substantially damage while maneuvering near Sonora, Texas. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.

The pilot reported the following information to the investigator in charge. He departed Sonora Airport and flew approximately 6 nautical miles south to the Enron gas plant to observe his current job site. After over flying the job site he returned to the Sonora Airport. During the landing to the south, after touch down, he observed deer run onto the runway and into the path of the airplane. He added power, flew over the deer and landed again. As he started to slow down, more deer ran onto the runway and he executed a go-around. He applied full power and the airplane did not respond properly.

A witness at the Enron Gas Plant reported observing an airplane flying low and striking the power lines to the gas plant. The witness further reported, "after hitting power lines the plane just missed gasoline tanks and a mountain before leaving my view."

A witness observed the airplane circling the airport and golf course at a "very" low altitude several times. The airplane was then observed flying slow at a low altitude heading south along the number one fairway of the golf course. The airplane then made a steep left turn, the left wing struck a tree, nosed down, and impacted on the edge of the 7th fairway of the golf course.

Personnel information

The private pilot's last biennial flight review was on January 20, 1987. His most recent medical is a third class dated November 30, 1989.

Aircraft information

A review of the airframe and engine records did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects prior to the flight. The last annual inspection was on December 10, 1992.

Wreckage and impact information

The aircraft came to rest at the initial ground scar on a measured magnetic heading of 290 degrees. The nose landing gear wheel was separated from the fuselage, and the airplane was resting on its nose. One propeller blade was bent aft, and neither blade displayed any significant chordwise scratching. The empennage was separated in front of the horizontal stabilizer and twisted 90 degrees to the right. The right horizontal stabilizer's leading edge was crushed aft.

The right wing leading edge near the wing tip was crushed aft. The right fuel tank contained usable fuel, and was uncontaminated. The left wing was located 30 feet from the main fuselage in a tree approximately 50 feet above the ground. The wing was separated into two pieces outboard of the wing strut. The wing inboard of the landing light was crushed, buckled, and wrinkled equal to the diameter of the tree where the wing was found. Physical evidence of black smears were found on the leading edge within a dented area, and across the stall warning indicator. A piece of black matter was found wedged in a skin tear of the wing near the strut. The power line insulation was made of similar black matter.

Pieces of plexiglass, a piece of landing light, and the upper left hand fairing for the wing strut was found at the Enron gas plant along the south side of the road near the newly repaired power lines. See enclosed wreckage diagram for wreckage distribution details.

Test and research

A disassembly inspection of the Continental Model GO-300-C, S/N 16031-0-D reciprocating engine, at Teledyne Continental Motors, in Mobile, Alabama, on August 3, 1994, did not reveal any anomalies that would have resulted in a loss of power.

Additional data

The airplane was released to the owner.