Cessna 172M accident near Gun Barrel City, TX

On March 8, 2008, a Cessna 172M (airplane) was involved in an accident near Gun Barrel City, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date

March 8, 2008

Place

Gun Barrel City, TX

Aircraft

Cessna 172M · Airplane

Injuries

1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Substantial

Position

32.033°N, 96.143°W

NTSB ID

20080311X00294

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 8, 2008 at approximately 1715 central standard time, a Cessna 172M, N13246, was destroyed upon collision with terrain in Gun Barrel City, Texas. The commercial pilot was fatally injured and the single passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. The local flight departed from Athens Municipal Airport (F44), Athens, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. An eyewitness, who was an acquaintance of the pilot and passenger, was at the Lakeview Elementary School park area when he saw the airplane approach from the east heading west. The witnesses stated that when the airplane was abeam of the school the engine was heard being rapidly reduced and the airplane was observed executing a left turn at an estimated 45 degrees angle of bank until the airplane was aligned to approach the eyewitness from the south heading north. As the airplane was approaching, the witness recalled that as the airplane neared the transmission lines, the airplane made a right turn. The witness stated that the airplane's right wing tip contacted the transmission lines causing the airplane to nose over and collided with the ground. As witnesses continued to observe the airplane as it tumbled, came apart, and finally came to rest in the inverted position. The witness then reported that he ran to provide assistance and call for emergency services. In a telephone interview with the NTSB, the passenger stated that the pilot flew th

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to avoid the transmission line. A contributing factor was the pilot's decision to perform a low-level maneuver.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.