FTW97LA123

The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A factor was the weather condition.

The noninstrument-rated private pilot stated that he 'was scud-running and hit [a] power line in clouds.' According to a witness, the airplane flew over his house, collided with a power line, and then rolled inverted before impacting the ground. Seventeen minutes prior to the accident, at a weather reporting station 12 nautical miles from the accident site, the ceiling was 300 feet overcast with a visibility of 2 statute miles in light rain and mist.

On March 16, 1997, at 1836 central standard time, a Cessna 172, N6320E, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was destroyed when it collided with a power line during cruise flight near Manchaca, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight that departed Austin, Texas, en route to San Marcos, Texas, about 15 minutes prior to the accident. A flight plan was not filed. The pilot reported that he "was scud-running and hit [a] power line in clouds." According to a witness, who was interviewed by an FAA inspector, the airplane's engine was operating normally when the airplane flew over his house, collided with the power line, and then rolled inverted before impacting the ground. The FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the outboard section of the right wing was severed and the cabin top had separated from the fuselage. The following weather conditions were reported at 1819 for Robert Mueller Municipal Airport in Austin, Texas, located 12 nautical miles north of the accident site: Wind 040 at 5 knots, visibility 2 statute miles in light rain and mist, ceiling 300 feet overcast, temperature 10 degrees C, dewpoint 10 degrees C, altimeter setting 30.17 inches of mercury. -