On November 19, 1988, a Cessna 150M (registration N63537) operated by Acme School OF Aeronautics was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Worth, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain visual reference to the ground during deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a collision with a power line. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A student pilot and instructor crashed into a power line during a local training flight after weather deteriorated to instrument conditions without a prior briefing.
What happened
The student pilot and the instructor departed on a planned one-hour local training flight. Prior to departure, no weather briefing was obtained by the crew. During the course of the hour-long flight, the weather conditions deteriorated significantly, reducing visibility to two miles in fog with an indefinite ceiling at three hundred feet and obscured skies.
The aircraft was subsequently observed flying low and slowly over a highway. Shortly thereafter, it collided with the upper static line of a power line. The impact caused the aircraft to crash inverted onto the westbound two lanes of the highway.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed no failures or malfunctions of the aircraft that would have precluded full operational capability prior to the collision.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain visual reference to the ground during deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a collision with a power line. Contributing factors included the lack of a pre-flight weather briefing and the decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
What happened in the 19 Nov 1988 Cessna 150M accident near Fort Worth, TX?
A student pilot and instructor crashed into a power line during a local training flight after weather deteriorated to instrument conditions without a prior briefing.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 19 Nov 1988 involved a Cessna 150M, registration N63537, operated by Acme School OF Aeronautics, at Fort Worth, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain visual reference to the ground during deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a collision with a power line. Contributing factors included the lack of a pre-flight weather briefing and the decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
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