# NTSB FTW95LA194: Cessna 177B, N34628, Casa, AR, May 10, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1995, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Casa, AR
- Coordinates: 35.019912, -93.040168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0199&lon=-93.0402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19412
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19412/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA194

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS 'WELL AWARE' OF THE UNMARKED HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE LOCATED 850 FEET SOUTH OF THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND ON RUNWAY 33, THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEAR CONTACTED ONE OF THE UPPER SHIELD WIRES ON THE TRANSMISSION LINE. THE AIRPLANE THEN FELL TO THE GROUND COMING TO REST INVERTED.

## Factual narrative

On May 10, 1995, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N34628, was substantially damaged during approach near Casa, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot was seriously injured.  The airplane departed Russellville, Arkansas, at 1040 CDT for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot stated that he was familiar with the private airstrip and "well aware" of the high voltage transmission line which is located 850 feet south of the approach end of runway 33 and runs from east to west.  He further stated that he was on final approach to land on runway 33 when he "saw too late the smaller shield wires on top of the transmission lines."  At approximately 120 feet above ground level, the airplane's landing gear contacted one of these two upper non-current carrying wires.  The airplane then fell to the ground coming to rest inverted.  There were no aerial marking balls installed on the transmission line.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34628](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34628-1999-06-29), registration cancelled 1999-06-29, S/N 17701909 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701909
- Airframe hours: 3815
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph P. Dawson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1994, 57 hours before
- Departed: M06, RUSSELLVILLE, AR
- Airport: NONE, None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,119 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19950510010919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950510010919A), May 10, 1995: Cessna 177B, Case, AR, Substantial damage. On final wheels hit known unmarked power line. Crashed inverted.

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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