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October 26, 2008 · Cessna R172E · N42FG

Palo Pinto, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 26, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Palo Pinto, TX
Aircraft
Cessna R172E
Tail Number
N42FG
Operator
Steven M Toft
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CEN09CA037

According to the pilot, his "intention was just to exercise the engine and aircraft for an hour." He flew a circular route and was returning when the airplane collided with two power lines that stretched across the river between two cliffs. He said, "[t]he terrain [was] hilly but desolate and I decided to get a closer look at the animals that were in the Brazos River bottom. Two power lines ran from the top of one cliff to another and were struck. They were on 40 foot power poles and 112 feet above the riverbed. They had a 900 foot span and no markers."

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Contributed to outcome

Full Narrative

On October 26, 2008, approximately 1330 central daylight time, a Cessna R172E, N42FG, registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed when it struck power lines and impacted terrain a river approximately 7 miles southeast of Palo Pinto, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was seriously injured. The flight originated from Hicks Airfield (T67), Fort Worth, Texas, approximately 1230. According to the pilot's accident report, his "intention was just to exercise the engine and aircraft for an hour." He flew southwest to Mineral Wells, then turned to return to T67. He wrote, "The terrain [was] hilly but desolate and I decided to get a closer look at the animals that were in the Brazos River bottom. Two power lines ran from the top of one cliff to another and were struck. They were on 40 foot power poles and 112 feet above the riverbed. They had a 900 foot span and no markers." The pilot was medevac to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. In his accident report, the pilot indicated that his last medical certificate was dated January 23, 1998, and that his last biennial flight review was dated June 15, 1999. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot voluntarily surrendered his pilot certificate.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna R172E
Tail NumberN42FG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSteven M Toft
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 9 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data