# NTSB FTW95LA281: Cessna 172RG, N9502D, Weston, TX, June 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 1995, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Weston, TX - Location: 33.3300° N, 96.6659° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Weston, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3300&lon=-96.6659&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19484 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19484/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA281 ## Probable cause THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH POWER LINES WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. A FACTOR WAS THE INSTRUCTOR'S DECISION TO ALLOW THE SIMULATION TO CONTINUE TO SUCH A LOW ALTITUDE. ## 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,transmission - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis THE TOP 6 INCHES OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER AND RUDDER SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME AFTER THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A POWER LINE DURING RECOVERY FROM A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING. THE POWER LINE WAS SUSPENDED 25 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. NEITHER THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR NOR THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION REPORTED SEEING THE WIRE PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AFTER THE PILOT FLYING REPORTED A LOST OF RUDDER EFFECTIVENESS. A SUCCESSFUL PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE AT A NEARBY AIRPORT. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 1995, at 1630 central daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N9502D, was substantially damaged after impacting a wire near Weston, Texas. The flight instructor and a commercial pilot receiving instruction were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. According to the operator, the flight departed the Addison Airport at 1520 on an instructional flight in preparation for a certified flight instructor (CFI) check ride. After executing a simulated forced landing to an open field, the airplane struck a power line 25 feet above the ground while recovering from the simulated emergency. Neither pilot reported seeing the wire prior to impact. The commercial pilot flying reported losing rudder effectiveness after impact with the wire. The instructor pilot elected to take the controls of the aircraft and flew to a nearby airport, where he made a successful precautionary landing. Examination of the airplane revealed that the top 6 inches from the rudder and vertical stabilizer had separated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9502D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9502D-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 172RG1190, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG1190 - Airframe hours: 6885 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Ate Of Texas, doing business as American Flyers - Registered owner: Five By Five Ohio - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 31, 1995, 68 hours before - Departed: ADS, ADDISON, TX - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 65 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 83 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 10 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ADS, 30 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 19950629016009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950629016009A), Jun 29, 1995: Cessna 172RG, Weston, TX, Substantial damage. Vertical stabilizer and rudder hit power line on engine out practice. Maneuver carried out to a unsafe altitude. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.