Pilot Debrief

MATHENY LARRY E CHRISTAVIA MK 1 near Grand Detour, IL — 2018-01-20

Final reportCEN18LA082
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Date
2018-01-20
Location
Grand Detour, IL, USA
Aircraft
MATHENY LARRY E CHRISTAVIA MK 1
Registration
N746LM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power line. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s intentional flight at low altitude.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot was flying an experimental airplane at a low altitude along a river when the airplane struck a power line suspended 30 ft above the river, causing the airplane to cartwheel. The power line wrapped around the airplane, and the airplane descended straight down, impacting the ice-covered river. A postaccident examination of the airplane showed that the fuselage forward of the instrument panel, the engine cowling, and the engine were bent upward about 30°. The forward fuel tank between the cabin and the engine had broken open, and the smell of fuel was apparent. The airplane's propeller showed indications that the engine was producing high power when the airplane struck the power line. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the engine and other airplane systems showed no preimpact anomalies. Thus, the accident likely occurred because the pilot did not see the power line suspended across the river while he was flying close to the river surface.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained a safer altitude above the power lines.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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