Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB CEN09LA409
Cessna 172 — Latimer, IA
| Date | July 3, 2009 |
| Location | Latimer, IA |
| Aircraft | Cessna 172 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event |
| Pilot age | 44 |
| Pilot total time | 181 hrs · Low time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line while flying at a low altitude.
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Identification/recognition-Pilot - C
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Contributed to outcome
What happened
A witness observed the airplane flying at a low altitude when it suddenly descended nose first into terrain. The postaccident examination revealed that the airplane collided with a 70-foot high power line that crossed over the road. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane.