BELLANCA 17-30A near Plainview, TX — 2013-03-27

Probable cause

The student pilot's improper decision to fly in night visual meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain altitude and clearance from obstacles.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot, with about 24 hours of flight experience, departed on a local flight with a passenger in night visual meteorological conditions. During cruise flight, the airplane struck a 102-foot-high power line. The power line broke through the cockpit windshield, and the airplane descended and impacted terrain. No mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane were reported that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Human factors

First missed decision gate

Pilot should have avoided flying at night without proper certification.

NTSB coding

• Low altitude operation/event · Enroute
• Decision Making / Judgment

Evidence available

• 3 docket documents

Docket documents3

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Requestform
• Record of Conversation - FAAother
• Record of Conversation - Student Pilotother

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