Pilot Debrief

STORCH AVIATION AUSTRALIA PTY SS-MK4 near Boulder, UT — 2009-05-29

Final reportWPR09LA269
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Date
2009-05-29
Location
Boulder, UT, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
STORCH AVIATION AUSTRALIA PTY SS-MK4
Registration
N2898J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low altitude maneuvering.

NTSB narrative

On the morning of the accident flight, the pilot flew with a passenger in the airplane on a sightseeing trip. The flight included low altitude maneuvers, to include low altitude flights into canyons. Photographs provided by the passenger revealed that the airplane was flown at low altitude through the canyons, and very close to the canyon walls. The pilot then landed and disembarked the passenger. Shortly thereafter, the pilot departed with another passenger onboard in the direction of the accident site. Witnesses observed the airplane flying low within a canyon shortly before a power failure occurred in the local town. Damage to the airplane revealed that the left wing struck the power transmission lines. The witness statements, damage sustained by the wing, and the position of the airplane after the accident, indicated that the pilot most likely turned left into an adjacent canyon from the one he was in and immediately into the path of the power lines.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided flying at low altitudes in canyons near power lines.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents16

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