WPR20FA067

Radar information showed that, after departing in day visual meteorological conditions, the pilot climbed the airplane to a maximum altitude of about 1,600 ft mean sea level (msl) before entering a gradual descent. The last radar return showed the airplane at a speed of 92 knots and altitude about 900 ft msl. The wreckage was found in the vicinity of a 1,586-ft-tall television tower, and its distribution was consistent with the left wing contacting one of the tower’s guy wires, resulting in a separation of the outboard section of the left wing. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain in a nose-down, near vertical attitude and was destroyed by impact. Examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane or engine. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from tower guy wires while flying at low altitude.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 20, 2020, about 1220 central standard time, a Cessna 150G airplane, N4763X, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jacksonville, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from JSO at 1200. Radar information revealed that the pilot departed Cherokee County Airport (JSO), Jacksonville, Texas, about 1200 and proceeded approximately north-northeast, reaching a peak altitude of about 1,600 ft mean sea level (msl). The airplane then turned southeast and entered a gradual descent as it flew roughly parallel to a state highway. The last radar information about 1220 showed the airplane at 899 ft msl at a groundspeed of 92 knots. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot’s most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on January 12, 2010. On the application for that certificate, the pilot reported 2,459 total hours of flight experience. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the accident site indicated that the airplane impacted a set of guy wires secured to the top of a 1,586-ft-tall television tower, located about 1,100 ft east of the wreckage. About 5 ft of the outboard section of the airplane's left wing was located about 468 ft south of the tower. Additionally, impact marks and stripped paint found on the separated wing piece were consistent with impact with a wire. With the exception of the outboard section of the left wing and the portion of the right fuel tank, the entire wreckage was located within about a 50-ft radius of the main wreckage site. The airplane impacted terrain in a nose-down, near vertical attitude and was destroyed by impact. Flight control continuity was established from the empennage to fuselage station (FS) 57 and from the aileron and flap bellcranks to the wing root. The cabin area was destroyed. The propeller remained attached to the engine. One blade was bent aft at the root: the other exhibited S-bending. Both blades displayed leading edge polishing and chordwise scratching. The engine was embedded in the ground and displayed significant impact damage. The crankshaft could not be rotated, but cylinder Nos. 2 and 4 were examined with a lighted borescope and displayed no anomalies. The location of the pistons of cylinder Nos. 1 and 3 precluded borescope examination; however, the rocker covers were removed, and no anomalies were noted. The right magneto was impact damaged; the left magneto was rotated by hand and produced spark at each of its terminal leads.