NTSB Factual Report

On October 26, 2008, approximately 1330 central daylight time, a Cessna R172E, N42FG, registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed when it struck power lines and impacted terrain a river approximately 7 miles southeast of Palo Pinto, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was seriously injured. The flight originated from Hicks Airfield (T67), Fort Worth, Texas, approximately 1230.

According to the pilot's accident report, his "intention was just to exercise the engine and aircraft for an hour." He flew southwest to Mineral Wells, then turned to return to T67. He wrote, "The terrain [was] hilly but desolate and I decided to get a closer look at the animals that were in the Brazos River bottom. Two power lines ran from the top of one cliff to another and were struck. They were on 40 foot power poles and 112 feet above the riverbed. They had a 900 foot span and no markers." The pilot was medevac to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.

In his accident report, the pilot indicated that his last medical certificate was dated January 23, 1998, and that his last biennial flight review was dated June 15, 1999. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot voluntarily surrendered his pilot certificate.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's intentional low-level flight and failure to maintain a visual lookout.