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NTSB Report
May 13, 1985 · Cessna 182RG · N737ZL
Odessa, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 13, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Odessa, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 182RG
Tail Number
N737ZL
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85FA220
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.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:05 CDT
Nearest AirportSchlemeyer (8nm SW)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 182RG
Tail NumberN737ZL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-J3C5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind170° @ 6 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point23 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:48
Weather SourceWFAC