Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB DFW08FA078
Cessna 172M — Gun Barrel City, TX
| Date | March 8, 2008 |
| Location | Gun Barrel City, TX |
| Aircraft | Cessna 172M |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 42 |
| Pilot total time | 1,610 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1, 1 serious |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to avoid the transmission line. A contributing factor was the pilot's decision to perform a low-level maneuver.
NTSB findings
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Not specified - F
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
What happened
The non-certificated pilot was attempting to "buzz" an acquaintance located in a park area by an elementary school. While maneuvering toward the field, the airplane's right wing contacted a transmission line. The pilot lost control of the airplane and impacted the ground. A post-accident investigation of the airplane and engine did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. The toxicology report noted low levels of an inactive metabolite of marihuana in the blood and urine, implying only that the pilot had used marijuana in the previous days or weeks.