Cessna 152 accident near Plaquemine, LA
On February 28, 1997, a Cessna 152 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Plaquemine, LA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- February 28, 1997
- Place
- Plaquemine, LA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 30.279°N, 91.240°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07407
NTSB summary
On February 28, 1997, approximately 1830 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N49205, collided with power lines and descended into the Mississippi river near Plaquemine, Louisiana. The two occupants, a certified flight instructor and a student pilot, received fatal injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the vicinity of the accident site, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The instructional cross-country flight, operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91, departed Lafayette, Louisiana, approximately 1720 and was en route to Reserve, Louisiana. According to seven witness observations of people who were working on a levee adjacent to the accident site (all attached to this report), the aircraft was in level flight, cruising over the Mississippi river at a low altitude beneath low clouds. One witness recalled seeing the aircraft approach high tension power lines which were traversing the river and perpendicular to the flight path. He reported that the aircraft impacted the lines, became hung up momentarily, and then fell into the river. He further reported that the aircraft remained afloat for approximately 10 seconds, and then submerged. Five of the witnesses heard the sound of an engine and did not report that they felt the aircraft was in distress. According to local utilities personnel, the 2 power line support structures, located on each side of the wire span, were 425 feet in height. According to FAA records, Baton Rouge Approach Control was communicating with the pilot approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident and were providing VFR flight following thro
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance from transmission wires. Factors were, the dark night, low cloud ceiling, and fog.
More accidents in LA
- Sikorsky S-76C, Jan 4, 2009
- Cessna 411A, May 8, 1986
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- Beech E90, Jun 24, 2005
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Browse: Louisiana · 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.
