What happened
On 16 August 1999, a Reims Cessna F172N, registration G-RUIA, was conducting a private flight in the local area near Knockin Strip, Shropshire. Upon returning to the airfield, the pilot elected to perform a practice forced landing on Runway 09. At the time of the incident, weather conditions were favorable, with calm winds and visibility exceeding 10 km.
During the final approach, the pilot focused on the intended touchdown point. While descending, the pilot noticed 11 kV power cables located approximately 239 metres before the start of the runway. These cables had previously been difficult to distinguish from the surrounding landscape. In an attempt to avoid the obstacle, the pilot applied full power to initiate a go-around. However, the aircraft's nose spinner made contact with the lines, causing the cable to part. Following the impact, the pilot maintained control of the aircraft and completed the landing without further difficulty.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the flight path during the approach and the visibility of the overhead obstructions. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained damage to the nose spinner and a slight indentation to the leading edge of the right wing.