Pilot Debrief

Cessna 172H near Brookshire, TX — 2008-05-11

Final reportDEN08CA087
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Date
2008-05-11
Location
Brookshire, TX, USA
Airport
27XS
Aircraft
Cessna 172H
Registration
N3870R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to duck under marked transmission lines and his failure to maintain clearance from the fence. Contributing to the accident was the marked transmission lines.

NTSB narrative

The unqualified private pilot was practicing visual approaches and landings on a dark night. 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. The pilot had not completed a biannual flight review within the past 24 months and did not meet currency requirements for carrying passengers as required by Federal Aviation Regulations.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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