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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 29, 2004 · Cessna 172K · N79502

Angleton, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 29, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Angleton, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172K
Tail Number
N79502
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW04LA085

The airplane had been stolen and was being operated by a non-certificated person when it impacted power lines and terrain during night light conditions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The unqualified person's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. A contributing factor was the night light conditions.

Full Narrative

On February 29, 2004, approximately 0630 central standard time, a Cessna 172K single-engine airplane, N79502, was destroyed when it impacted power lines and the terrain while maneuvering near the Brazoria County Airport, Angleton, Texas. The airplane was registered to a private individual. The airplane had been stolen and was being operated by a non-certificated person, who was the sole occupant and was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the unauthorized flight. According to an FAA inspector, 16 hangars were broken-into sometime in the evening hours of February 28, 2004, and the morning hours of February 29, 2004. The wreckage of the stolen aircraft was located approximately 3 miles south of the Brazoria County Airport, after the airplane appeared to have impacted power lines and the terrain. The accident airplane contained miscellaneous equipment taken from the hangars, and several beer cans.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:30 CST
Nearest AirportBrazoria County Airport (3nm S)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172K
Tail NumberN79502
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind150° @ 18 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 63 F
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time06:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data