Pilot Debrief

AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCBC near Lago Vista, TX — 2014-08-23

Final reportCEN14FA448
Sign in to save
Date
2014-08-23
Location
Lago Vista, TX, USA
Aircraft
AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCBC
Registration
N254AC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude and his subsequent failure to see and avoid the power lines.

NTSB narrative

A witnesses in the area reported seeing an airplane matching the description of the accident airplane flying near the accident site at a low altitude over water. A camera mounted to the airplane captured the accident flight. The video footage depicted the airplane flying low near terrain up until the collision with a power line. The video did not depict any abrupt maneuvers before the accident, thus, the pilot likely did not see the wires. The airplane impacted the ground and a postimpact fire ensued. An examination of the airframe, engine, and related systems revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low altitude flight over water.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 11 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents11

Related mishaps