Summary
On 15 April 2012 at 12:00 UTC, a Cessna F150M engaged in a training flight collided with an electrical cable at a height estimated between 10 and 20 meters, approximately 15 nautical miles southeast of EBLG airport. The aircraft was conducting a forced landing simulation when the instructor, having taken over the controls for didactical purposes, continued the exercise at low altitude. The cable strike caused a shock and bang, but the aircraft remained controllable. After assessing limited damage and normal behavior, the instructor flew back to EBLG without incident. Both occupants were not injured.
History of the Flight
The flight, intended for practicing forced landing simulations ahead of a PPL examination, departed from EBLG and proceeded southeast. Initially, the instructor demonstrated the exercise from 2,000 ft, then the student pilot attempted from 2,500 ft. During the student's attempt, the aircraft could not reach the selected field. The instructor took over to demonstrate selecting an alternate field. While turning and losing altitude, the instructor approached a second field and interrupted the approach close to the ground when satisfied. Advancing the throttle, the aircraft struck an electrical cable seconds later at 10–25 m height. The crew heard the impact rather than saw it. After climbing, the instructor confirmed the engine and aircraft behavior were normal and returned to EBLG without declaring an emergency.
Cause
The cause of the incident is the decision of the instructor to continue the exercise at a too low altitude at the end of a simulation of forced landing performed by a student pilot. The instructor took over to make a demonstration to the student pilot for didactical purpose.
Contributing Factors
- The last part of the forced landing exercise was improvised.
- The area where the exercise was performed was not checked in advance, either by inspection from the ground or by any other means, to ensure the area was free of obstacles.
- The applicable regulations were not adhered to.
Damage
The damage was concentrated on the engine cowling and spinner. Minor cable impact damage was visible on both sides of the propeller blades (scratches) and on the right-hand wing leading edge (small recess). The damage pattern was consistent with a collision with an electrical power line. The exact location and type of cables could not be determined, but they were assumed to be relatively small and were cut by the impact.
Post-Incident Action
The day after the incident, the chief instructor of the flight school issued a reminder to all instructors and student pilots that forced landing simulations must be interrupted at least down to 500 ft AGL and that flying below that height is strictly forbidden unless over an airfield. No recommendations were made by the investigation, considering the school's adequate response.