# NTSB FTW96LA128: Cessna 172P, N775NA, Iowa, LA, February 22, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 1996, 10:07 local (16:07 UTC) - Place: Iowa, LA - Coordinates: 30.209123, -93.200714 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2091&lon=-93.2007&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19768 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19768/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA128 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing, his delay in initiating a go-around (aborted landing), and his failure to maintain clearance from the transmission lines. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's improper weather evaluation, the resultant tailwind, and the proximity of transmission lines to the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis During arrival, the pilot made an instrument approach to the Chennault Industrial Airport, then proceeded to land at Morgan field, which was about 5 miles away. He elected to land on runway 5 (sod strip, 1,800 foot long), although the wind was from 220 degrees at 12 knots. Witnesses observed the airplane approaching 'high and fast.' After touching down within the first 1/3 of the runway, the pilot noticed that his ground roll speed was fast, and he elected to abort the landing. The airplane became airborne past the midfield point. The pilot retracted the flaps and established the best angle of climb speed in an attempt to clear power lines. However, during the initial climb, the aft portion of the fuselage impacted the power lines, and the airplane crashed. ## Factual narrative On February 22, 1996, at 1007 central standard time, a Cessna 172P, N775NA, was substantially damaged upon impact with power lines while maneuvering near Iowa, Louisiana. The airline transport rated pilot sustained serious injuries, while his passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was being operated by Gulf Air Enterprises, Inc., of Thibodaux, Louisiana, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Houma, Louisiana. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and an IFR flight plan was filed. According Air Traffic Control personnel at the Chennault Industrial Airport, the airplane executed an instrument approach to the Chennault Industrial Airport, and when clear of cloud, proceeded VFR to their destination airport, the Morgan's private airstrip. The Morgan airstrip is located approximately 5 miles east of Chennault. The airstrip is owned by Gulf Air Enterprises and is used primarily for agricultural spraying operations. According to witnesses at the airstrip, the was airplane was observed approaching the 1,800 foot sod airstrip downwind from the south, and it appeared to be "high and fast". After touching down within the first 1/3 of the runway, the pilot "noticed that his ground roll speed was fast" and he elected to abort the landing by applying full power. The airplane became airborne past the mid field point and the pilot retracted the flaps and established the best angle of climb speed to attempt to clear the power lines at the departure end of the strip. During climbout, the rear of the fuselage impacted the power lines resulting in a loss of control. In the enclosed narrative, the pilot stated that during his approach to the Chenault Airport, he was given the winds from 220 degrees at 12 knots. Post-accident examination of the airframe, engine, and systems, did not reveal any pre-mishap anomalies that would have prevented normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N775NA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N775NA-1996-08-28), registration cancelled 1996-08-28, S/N 17274226 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274226 - Airframe hours: 5638 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gulf Air Enterprises Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, February 20, 1996, 4 hours before - Departed: HUM, HOUMA, LA - Destination: NONE, LA - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: 3LA9, Morgan Field, runway 5, 1,700 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,868 total, 254 in this make and model, 3,960 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CWF, 5 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 19960222002459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960222002459A), Feb 22, 1996: Cessna 172P, Iowa, LA, Destroyed. Aircraft made a missed approach ans struck high line. 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.