Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static power line while maneuvering at a low altitude.
NTSB analysis
While the pilot was maneuvering at low altitude over a lake, the single-engine airplane impacted a static power line. Unable to remain airborne, the pilot selected a flat field for a forced landing. During the landing rollout the airplane’s left wing impacted a tree, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest in a nose-low upright position with a section of the power line wrapped around the fuselage. Following the accident, the pilot reported that he experienced no anomalies with the airplane prior to the wire impact.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA179 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 30, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hamilton, Texas
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182M
- N-number
- N71229
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.