Cessna 172H

Full Narrative

The private pilot was practicing visual approaches and landings on a dark night with one non-rated passenger. On his fourth or fifth pattern, the airplane was taking off following a full-flap touch and go when it struck a fence and impacted in a field past the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated he landed about one-third down the 4,100 foot runway and the roll out was longer than normal, but elected to attempt another approach. During climb out the pilot saw the orange marker balls on the power lines off the departure end of the runway, realized he could not clear them, and was attempting to dive under the wires when the airplane struck the fence. The pilot also stated the airplane was operating normally at the time of the accident and there were no engine or flight control malfunctions. Examination of the airplane revealed the right wing spar was bent upward.

Information provided by the pilot on the Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report shows the pilot's last flight review was 1 April, 2006. Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 61.56 states a pilot must accomplish a flight review within 24 months of their last flight review in order to act as pilot in command. According to Federal Aviation Administration officials, the pilot failed to meet the currency requirements for carrying passengers as stated in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 61.57(a)1 and 61.57(b)1.