On February 20, 1982, a Cessna 140 (registration N77029) operated by Richard B Nogle was involved in an aviation accident near Krotz Springs, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from telephone wires during a simulated forced landing power recovery. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a simulated forced landing maneuver near a railroad track, the aircraft struck telephone wires running perpendicular to the tracks, resulting in damage to the left wing.
What happened
The flight involved a simulated emergency procedure where the pilot attempted a forced landing on a railroad right-of-way. During the power recovery phase of this maneuver, the aircraft encountered four strands of telephone wire that were positioned perpendicular to the railroad tracks. The impact with these wires caused structural damage to the outboard two feet of the left wing. Following the incident, the pilot continued to a nearby airport where a post-flight inspection confirmed the extent of the damage.
The investigation
A post-flight inspection was conducted at the nearby airport after the aircraft landed safely. The examination revealed specific damage limited to the outboard section of the left wing, measuring two feet in length. No other structural issues were noted during this immediate assessment.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from telephone wires during a simulated forced landing power recovery.