# NTSB FTW99LA108: Cessna 172M, N8963V, Midlothian, TX, April 5, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 4, 1999, 20:15 local (Apr 5, 1999, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Midlothian, TX - Coordinates: 32.4892, -96.990257 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4892&lon=-96.9903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46029 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46029/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA108 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the powerlines. Factors were the low ceilings and the dusk light illumination. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The 80 hour pilot collided with unmarked powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude at dusk. The operator reported that soon after departure, the pilot encountered lowering ceilings while en route to a nearby non-towered airport. The ceilings continued to drop to about 300 feet, when the pilot elected to execute a 180 degree turn and return to Grand Prairie. While en route, the pilot heard a loud pop and saw a bright flash of light. The engine sputtered, but then continued to run normally. The pilot reported that he was following the railroad tracks southbound at low altitude en route to the non-towered airport when he collided with powerlines. The location of the collision with the wires was located by the FAA inspectors with the assistance of the power company. The broken wire was found at the location where the railroad tracks make a shallow right turn. The powerline was suspended 28 feet above the tracks. Paint transfers on portions of the severed wire matched the color scheme of the wings. The damage to the right wing matches the southbound right turn scenario described by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On April 4, 1999, at 2015 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M airplane, N8963V, was substantially damaged upon collision with powerlines while maneuvering near Midlothian, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned by Texsan Aviation Inc., of Gordonville, Texas, and operated by Howell Aircraft Services Inc., of Grand Prairie, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Grand Prairie Municipal Airport at approximately 1950. The 80 hour pilot reported to FAA inspectors that the airplane collided with unmarked powerlines while maneuvering southeast of the Joe Pool Lake near Midlothian, Texas. The pilot added that following the collision with the powerlines he elected to return the airport where a landing was accomplished without further incident. In the enclosed narrative portion of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the operator reported that, after his departure from Grand Prairie, the pilot encountered lowering ceilings while en route to the Midlothian Airport. The ceilings continued to drop to about 300 feet, when the pilot elected to execute a 180 degree turn and return to Grand Prairie. While in the vicinity of the southeast corner of the Joe Pool Lake, the pilot heard a loud pop and saw a bright flash of light. The engine initially sputtered, but then continued to run normally. The private pilot completed another narrative in the presence of the two FAA inspectors. In the second narrative, the pilot states that he was following the railroad tracks southbound at a low altitude en route to the Midlothian Airport when he collided with the unmarked powerlines. The location of the collision with the wires was located by the FAA inspectors with the assistance of the power company. The broken wire was found at the location where the railroad tracks make a shallow turn to the right. The powerline was suspended 28 feet above the tracks. Paint transfers on portions of the severed wire matched the color scheme of the wings. The damage to the right wing of the airplane's right wing matches the southbound right turn scenario described by the pilot. The FAA inspector who evaluated the damage sustained by the airplane reported that the right wing and the right wing strut sustained structural damage. The propeller and propeller spinner were also damaged. The inspector added that evidence of electrical burns were found throughout the airframe. Dusk light illumination prevailed at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8963V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8963V-2012-10-19), registration cancelled 2012-10-19, S/N 17264319, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-64319 - Airframe hours: 3846 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3E 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mark Howell, doing business as Howell Aircraft Inc. - Registered owner: Texsan Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 22, 1999, 23 hours before - Departed: GPM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 70 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RBD ## 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 19990405003109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990405003109A), Apr 5, 1999: Cessna 172M, Midlothain, TX, Substantial damage. Acft struck a power line and landed at grand prairie, TX. (-23)on April 4, 1999, at 2015 CT, a Cessna 172, was substantially damaged upon collision with… 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.