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NTSB Report
March 16, 1989 · Cessna 172 · N51313
Rio Vista, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 16, 1989
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Location
Rio Vista, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N51313
Operator
Buchanon Flying Club
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA126
THE PILOT OF A C172 FLEW INTO A TELEPHONE WIRE, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN WHILE EXECUTING A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO A FIELD ABOUT 8 MILES WEST OF RIO VISTA, CA. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS SHOWING HIS PASSENGERS SIMULATED FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO AN OPEN FIELD. WHILE IN A DESCENT, BOTH OF THE PILOTS AND THE PASSENGER SAW A TELEPHONE WIRE IN THEIR FLIGHT PATH (AT ABOUT 75 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL). THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THE WIRE. THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN LANDING GEAR CLEARED THE WIRE BUT, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER CAUGHT THE WIRE. THE PRIVATE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WAS NO REPORTED MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE TO THE AIRPLANE, PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE IMPROPER PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF AN EMERGENCY (SIMULATED) MANEUVER BY THE PILOT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF A C172 FLEW INTO A TELEPHONE WIRE, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN WHILE EXECUTING A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO A FIELD ABOUT 8 MILES WEST OF RIO VISTA, CA. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS SHOWING HIS PASSENGERS SIMULATED FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO AN OPEN FIELD. WHILE IN A DESCENT, BOTH OF THE PILOTS AND THE PASSENGER SAW A TELEPHONE WIRE IN THEIR FLIGHT PATH (AT ABOUT 75 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL). THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THE WIRE. THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN LANDING GEAR CLEARED THE WIRE BUT, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER CAUGHT THE WIRE. THE PRIVATE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WAS NO REPORTED MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE TO THE AIRPLANE, PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:40 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN51313
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBuchanon Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 24 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind300° @ 5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0