On June 28, 1999, a Cessna T210L (registration N93058) was involved in an aviation accident near Petersburg, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot to maintain obstacle clearance. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane struck a power line during final approach to a private grass airstrip. Witnesses observed the aircraft in a left-hand traffic pattern for runway 17, with the landing gear appearing normal and down. The airplane impacted the ground south of the wires.
Incident Overview
According to personnel at the private grass airstrip, the pilot was made aware of a 'high line wire' on the north end of the airstrip. The airplane was observed flying a left-hand traffic pattern for runway 17. One witness reported that during the final approach to the runway, the airplane 'didn't look high enough,' although the approach 'appeared normal and steady,' and the gear appeared 'normal and down.' Another witness reported observing the 'plane hit the power line with the landing gear.'
Impact and Examination
The airplane struck the top static steel line and subsequently impacted the ground 170 feet south of the power lines. Examination of the nose landing gear strut revealed numerous straight-line witness marks consistent with the diameter of the downed static line. No anomalies were found during the examination of the airframe or powerplant that would have rendered the airplane or engine incapable of operation prior to striking the steel line.