Pilot Debrief

MILLS MICHAEL S1L near Dewitt, MI — 2018-03-22

Final reportCEN18LA123
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Date
2018-03-22
Location
Dewitt, MI, USA
Aircraft
MILLS MICHAEL S1L
Registration
N197X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines due to sun glare.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was attempting to land on an airstrip on his property, but on short final, the airplane struck power lines and then descended and impacted terrain. Examination of the airframe, engine, and related systems revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Before the accident flight, the pilot told a friend that he needed to return home before a certain time or there would be a problem with sun glare during landing. The pilot was approaching his airstrip on a westerly heading. The position of the sun was 14° above the horizon and about 20° left of the pilot's vision. The position of the sun likely hampered the pilot's ability to see the power lines, which resulted in his failure to avoid them.

NTSB coding

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