ODESSA, TX, USA
N737ZL
CESSNA 182RG
WHILE FLYING AT APPROX 100' AGL, THE ACFT STRUCK A 5/8' STATIC LINE ON A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED POWERLINE. THE CABLE WAS NOT YET ANCHORED, EXCEPT WITH PULLEY'S ON EACH TOWER AND HAD ABOUT TWO MILES OF SLACK. THE WIRE ENGAGED THE LEFT FRONT ENG COWL AND 1 PROP BLADE. THE CABLE WAS PULLED DOWN ALMOST TO THE GROUND AND WHEN IT BACKLASHED IT SHATTERED A TELEPHONE POLE, THE ACFT IMPACTED ON THE MEDIAN OF AN INTERSTATE. WITNESSES HAD OBSERVED THE ACFT MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE IN THE AREA FOR SEVERAL MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT DUSK, WITH THE PILOT FLYING SOUTHWEST INTO THE REMAINING SUN LIGHT. CONDITIONS WOULD HAVE MADE OBSERVATION OF THE CABLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
