At 20:15 CDT, a Cessna Skyhawk struck power lines while maneuvering near Midlothian. The 80-hour pilot escaped injury and returned to the departure airport without further incident. The pilot encountered lowering ceilings while en route to the Midlothian Airport. When the ceilings dropped to about 300 feet, the pilot elected to return to Grand Prairie. He heard a loud pop and saw a bright flash of light. The engine initially sputtered, but then continued to run normally. The pilot said he was following the railroad tracks southbound at a low altitude when he collided with the unmarked power lines. The broken wire was suspended 28 feet above the tracks.
Apr. 4, Midlothian, Texas / Cessna 172M
At 20:15 CDT, a Cessna Skyhawk struck power lines while maneuvering near Midlothian. The 80-hour pilot escaped injury and returned to the departure airport without further incident. The pilot encountered lowering ceilings while en route to the Midlothian Airport. When the ceilings dropped to about 300 feet, the pilot elected to return to Grand Prairie. He heard a loud pop and saw a bright flash of light. The engine initially sputtered, but then continued to run normally. The pilot said he was following the railroad tracks southbound at a low altitude when he collided with the unmarked power lines. The broken wire was suspended 28 feet above the tracks....
Key Takeaways:
- An 80-hour pilot flying a Cessna Skyhawk struck unmarked power lines near Midlothian while maneuvering at low altitude in deteriorating weather conditions.
- Despite the impact causing a loud pop, flash, and engine sputter, the pilot was uninjured and safely returned the aircraft to the departure airport.
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