FTW95LA173

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 152 · Oakgrove, AR · April 19, 1995

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
April 19, 1995, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
Place
Oakgrove, AR
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Maneuvering
Aircraft
N49696Cessna 152
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report November 6, 1995
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19950419014729A
Case key
19398

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 student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. Factor's were the instructor's decision to allow the simulation to continue to such a low altitude and lack of suitable terrain for forced landing.

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.

In flight collision with objectManeuvering
Object - wire,transmission
Emergency procedure - simulatedPilot in command(cfi)
Altitude - inadequatePilot in command(cfi)Factor
Clearance - not maintainedDual studentCause
Supervision - inadequatePilot in command(cfi)Cause
Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malfManeuvering
Exhaust system,manifold/pipe - bentFactor
Forced landingEmergency descent/landing
Terrain condition - none suitableFactor
Terrain condition - wet
Terrain condition - grass
On ground/water collision with objectLanding - roll
Object - fence
Object - other

Analysis

The airplane struck two power lines during a simulated forced landing. The lines impacted the 'exhaust and crimped it off resulting in a loss of power.' Neither the flight instructor nor the student pilot reported seeing the wires prior to impact. The flight instructor made a forced landing; however, due to 'wet grass and mud' the airplane slid through a barbed wire fence and impacted a feeder trough.

Factual narrative

On April 19, 1995, at 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N49696, was substantially damaged after impacting a wire and subsequent forced landing near Oakgrove, Arkansas. The flight instructor and his student were not injured. The aircraft was being operated by The School of the Ozarks under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Clark Airport near Point Lookout, Missouri, at 1315 CDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight and a flight plan was not filed.

During a personal interview, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, and on the enclosed Pilot/Operator report, the flight instructor reported that while performing a simulated forced landing, the aircraft struck two power lines. The lines impacted the "exhaust and crimped it off resulting in a loss of power." Neither the flight instructor nor the student pilot reported seeing the wires prior to impact. The flight instructor landed the aircraft in a field; however, due to "wet grass and mud" the airplane slid through a barbed wire fence and impacted a feeder trough. Structural damage occurred to the rudder, stabilizer, and elevator.

Aircraft

Registration
N49696
Reported as
Cessna 152
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15283496
Airframe hours
8,487
Engine
Lycoming O-235-L2C, 110 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Registered owner
The School Of The Ozarks
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Utility
Last inspection
100 hour · February 8, 1995 · 91 hours before
Departed
PLK · Point Lookout, MO

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
23
Certificates
Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Right
Flight hours
613 total · 262 in this make and model · 447 as pilot in command · 155 in the last 90 days · 63 in the last 30 days · 8 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
70° at 5 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
66 °F, dew point 43 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
FLP, 55 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.

Other investigations on N49696 · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.