WESTON, TX, USA
N9502D
CESSNA 172RG
THE TOP 6 INCHES OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER AND RUDDER SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME AFTER THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A POWER LINE DURING RECOVERY FROM A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING. THE POWER LINE WAS SUSPENDED 25 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. NEITHER THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR NOR THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION REPORTED SEEING THE WIRE PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AFTER THE PILOT FLYING REPORTED A LOST OF RUDDER EFFECTIVENESS. A SUCCESSFUL PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE AT A NEARBY AIRPORT.
On June 29, 1995, at 1630 central daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N9502D, was substantially damaged after impacting a wire near Weston, Texas. The flight instructor and a commercial pilot receiving instruction were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. According to the operator, the flight departed the Addison Airport at 1520 on an instructional flight in preparation for a certified flight instructor (CFI) check ride. After executing a simulated forced landing to an open field, the airplane struck a power line 25 feet above the ground while recovering from the simulated emergency. Neither pilot reported seeing the wire prior to impact. The commercial pilot flying reported losing rudder effectiveness after impact with the wire. The instructor pilot elected to take the controls of the aircraft and flew to a nearby airport, where he made a successful precautionary landing. Examination of the airplane revealed that the top 6 inches from the rudder and vertical stabilizer had separated.
THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH POWER LINES WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. A FACTOR WAS THE INSTRUCTOR'S DECISION TO ALLOW THE SIMULATION TO CONTINUE TO SUCH A LOW ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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