Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a proper altitude and his inadequate visual outlook. A factor was the tower.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The flight was for the purpose of photographing real estate. The pilot stated that from charts he was aware that there was a tower in the vicinity; however, he did not have visual contact with it. He said that while heading southbound the airplane impacted the tower. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot was able to fly to an uneventful landing at indianapolis, indiana.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 14, 1994, at 1625 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N89897, registered to Hoosier Air Photos, Inc., of Indianapolis, and operated by a commercial pilot, collided with a stationary tower near Decatur, Indiana. The airplane landed at Indianapolis, Indiana, with substantial damage. The pilot reported no injuries. The business 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Portland, Indiana, at 1450 with the intended destination of Greenwood, Indiana. The flight was for the purpose of photographing real estate. The pilot stated that he was aware of the tower from charts, but never actually saw it. While flying southbound the airplane impacted the tower. The pilot indicated that the airplane performance was not adversely affected by the impact and he elected to return to the Indianapolis area where he landed without further incident at 1805. -