CESSNA 152
Americus, GA — April 23, 2013
Event Information
| Date | April 23, 2013 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA13CA230 |
| Event ID | 20130508X92836 |
| Location | Americus, GA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 32.15500, -84.32389 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | 152 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s delayed decision to terminate the practice approach during a simulated loss of engine power maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with utility wires.
Full Narrative
The pilot and passenger were returning to the airplane’s home airport near the conclusion of a cross-country flight, when the pilot elected to perform a simulated loss of engine power and subsequent practice approach to a farm field. During the approach, the pilot descended the airplane to about the height of the irrigation system installed in the field, when he noticed a “glint of light” and instinctually applied full power, increased pitch, and rolled the airplane right. The airplane then contacted a utility wire, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot subsequently returned to the destination airport and landed uneventfully. When enumerating the factors that contributed to the accident, the pilot noted that his “…decision to continue the approach as long as I did also played a role.” The pilot also reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.