Accident Cessna 150M N714JV, Sunday 14 January 1996

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Date:	Sunday 14 January 1996
Time:	21:06 LT
Type:	Cessna 150M
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N714JV
MSN:	15079219
Year of manufacture:	1977
Engine model:	Continental O-200-A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Mandeville, LA - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Slidell, LA (6R0)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
At night, the airplane was observed approaching an east/west interstate highway (I-12) from the north. As the airplane neared I-12, it turned east. Later, flashes of light were observed as the airplane crashed in the median of I-12. Examination revealed that the airplane had struck and become entangled in power lines, which spanned I-12 at highway 59. A fuel sample from the airplane was clear and light blue in color. A test run of the engine revealed normal engine operation. Blood samples were drawn from the pilot at a hospital at 2045 and 2230 cst. Toxicology tests of these samples showed blood/alcohol levels of 0.172 mg/dl and 0.146 mg/dl, respectively. Attempts to obtain additional information from the pilot were unsuccessful.

Probable Cause: the pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol, his resultant improper planning/decision, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from obstructions (power lines) at night.

Accident investigation: