Cessna 152 accident near Ben Wheeler, TX
On June 26, 1995, a Cessna 152 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Ben Wheeler, TX. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 26, 1995
- Place
- Ben Wheeler, TX
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 32.409°N, 95.661°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X03688
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 26, 1995, at 0937 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N4963H, was destroyed while maneuvering near Ben Wheeler, Texas. The commercial pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. The aircraft was being operated by Tyler Aero Company of Texas, Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Tyler Pounds Field located near Tyler, Texas, at approximately 0800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial photographic flight and no flight plan was filed. According to witnesses, the airplane was observed "flying much too low and slow just above the trees." The witnesses stated that "the plane sure did wobble" and it appeared to them that "the airplane was going too slow to stay up." Another witness observed the airplane's "motor was cutting out" and "then he hit the tree then the ground." Another witness observed the airplane go "straight down" and that "he did not clip a tree." AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The manufacturer recommended maximum gross takeoff weight for this aircraft is 1,675 pounds. The weight of the occupants, fuel, equipment, and the aircraft at the time of takeoff was calculated to be 1,764.3 pounds (see enclosed weight and balance calculations). The fuel burn rate of the engine of this aircraft, which was provided by the owner, was estimated at 6 gallons per hour. With a flight time of 1 hour and 37 minutes, this calculated out to an airplane weight of 1,704.3 pounds at the time of the accident. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane came to rest on the north edge of a group of trees 25 to 30 feet high
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL LOW LEVEL FLYING AND NOT MAINTAINING A CLEARANCE FROM THE TREES. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE.
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Browse: Texas · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
