# NTSB FTW97LA123: Cessna 172, N6320E, Manchaca, TX, March 17, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1997, 18:36 local (Mar 17, 1997, 00:36 UTC)
- Place: Manchaca, TX
- Coordinates: 30.129596, -97.88945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1296&lon=-97.8894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA123

## Probable cause

The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance.  A factor was the weather condition.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The noninstrument-rated private pilot stated that he 'was scud-running and hit [a] power line in clouds.'  According to a witness, the airplane flew over his house, collided with a power line, and then rolled inverted before impacting the ground.  Seventeen minutes prior to the accident, at a weather reporting station 12 nautical miles from the accident site, the ceiling was 300 feet overcast with a visibility of 2 statute miles in light rain and mist.

## Factual narrative

On March 16, 1997, at 1836 central standard time, a Cessna 172, N6320E, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was destroyed when it collided with a power line during cruise flight near Manchaca, Texas.  The non-instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured.  Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight that departed Austin, Texas, en route to San Marcos, Texas, about 15 minutes prior to the accident.  A flight plan was not filed.

The pilot reported that he "was scud-running and hit [a] power line in clouds."  According to a witness, who was interviewed by an FAA inspector, the airplane's engine was operating normally when the airplane flew over his house, collided with the power line, and then rolled inverted before impacting the ground.  The FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the outboard section of the right wing was severed and the cabin top had separated from the fuselage.

The following weather conditions were reported at 1819 for Robert Mueller Municipal Airport in Austin, Texas, located 12 nautical miles north of the accident site:  Wind 040 at 5 knots, visibility 2 statute miles in light rain and mist, ceiling 300 feet overcast, temperature 10 degrees C, dewpoint 10 degrees C, altimeter setting 30.17 inches of mercury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6320E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6320E-1998-09-16), registration cancelled 1998-09-16, S/N 46420 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46420
- Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark E. Rutledge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AUSTIN, TX
- Destination: SAN MARCOS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 12 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 19970317003249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970317003249A), Mar 17, 1997: Cessna 172, Manchaca, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On March 16, 1997, at 1836 central standard time, a Cessna 172, N6320E, registered to and operated by a private owner under title 14 CFR part 91, was…

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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