Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA28-151 near Purcell, OK — 2009-07-31

Final reportCEN09CA479
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Date
2009-07-31
Location
Purcell, OK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA28-151
Registration
N41930
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to see and avoid the power lines.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot stated that he had practiced a simulated loss of engine power to a field near the Canadian River. After finishing the practice approach, witnesses observed the airplane flying north to south about 30 feet above the river. They observed the airplane climb and fly over the East Washington Street Bridge, which spans the river between Purcell, Oklahoma and Lexington, Oklahoma. The airplane then descended back down into the river bottom, hit power lines that crossed over the river, and then came to rest in the river about one mile south of the bridge. Portions of the horizontal stabilizer and the wing had separated from the fuselage. The pilot was seriously injured. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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