Pilot Debrief

EASTON SEAREY near Friday Harbor, WA — 2012-08-31

Final reportWPR12FA385
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Date
2012-08-31
Location
Friday Harbor, WA, USA
Aircraft
EASTON SEAREY
Registration
N346PE
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate glidepath and failure to maintain clearance from the transmission wire during a landing approach.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was landing to the south at a private airstrip. The owner of the airstrip observed the airplane on short final when it struck transmission wires that ran perpendicular to and north of the airstrip. The airplane nosed over and impacted terrain. Postimpact examination of the airplane revealed wire strike marks on the left main landing gear and the keel of the fuselage. No preimpact mechanical discrepancies were found with the airplane's airframe or engine that would have prevented normal operation. The airstrip owner stated that he was unaware of the pilot's impending visit. He said that he tells all visiting pilots to land to the north so as to land uphill and avoid the transmission wires. The airstrip owner also reported that he talked to a pilot who spoke to the accident pilot before he departed on the accident flight and who informed him of the presence of wires at the north end of the airstrip.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land to the north to avoid wires on short final.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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