Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28R-180 near Norfolk, NE — 2013-04-28

Final reportCEN13FA241
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Date
2013-04-28
Location
Norfolk, NE, USA
Airport
OFK
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28R-180
Registration
N3970T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

Two witnesses reported seeing an airplane matching the description of the accident airplane flying in the area of the departure airport at very low altitudes about 90 minutes before the accident flight. One witness described the flight profile as similar to "crop-duster type operations, with multiple low-altitude passes." Another witness reported that the airplane departed the airport and climbed to about 1,000 feet and then made a gradual eastbound descent to a low altitude and out of sight. He reported that the airplane reappeared in a very steep left bank and then descended out of sight again. About 3 miles east of the airport, the airplane impacted a 20-foot-high power line, which resulted in the vertical stabilizer separating from the top of the fuselage and the airplane becoming uncontrollable until it impacted terrain. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A parallel set of high-tension power lines with large support poles was located about 1/2 mile east of the impacted power line. As the pilot flew the airplane at a low altitude eastbound, the high-tension power lines likely visually aligned (that is, came within the same line of sight) with the impacted power line. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot was focused on the more prominent high-tension power lines and did not observe the impacted power line.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low altitude maneuvers near power lines.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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