Pilot Debrief

Piper PA-11 near Copperopolis, CA — 2019-06-16

Final reportWPR19FA173
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Date
2019-06-16
Location
Copperopolis, CA, USA
Aircraft
Piper PA-11
Registration
N209H
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from consuming alcohol before the flight.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from consuming alcohol before the flight.

NTSB narrative

A friend of the pilot located near the lake reported that the pilot had sent him a text message, which said that he was going to do a “fly by” over the lake. The friend stated that, when he saw the airplane, it was about 150 ft above the water and that the pilot did a “wing wag” before the airplane collided with the power lines strung across the water. The airplane subsequently descended nose down into the water. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicological tests detected a level of ethanol in the pilot’s specimens known to cause some impairment. The test results were also consistent with the pilot having recently consumed alcohol before the flight. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot’s impairment from consuming alcohol contributed to the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low altitude flight over power lines.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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