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Pilot flies into wires

By NTSB · June 27, 2019 ·

The pilot reported that, during a positioning flight, he was flying along a highway near Morgan, Utah, at about 500′, when the Aero Commander CallAir struck transmission wires.

He turned back to the departure airport and landed without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

According to an employee of the power company, the transmission wires were about 93′ to 100′ above the ground.

Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to see and avoid transmission wires.

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA371

This June 2017 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

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Comments

  1. Jim Curlott says

    June 29, 2019 at 7:59 am

    Pilot was probably reporting MSL altitude but struck wires at about 100 feet AGL.

  2. Sarah A says

    June 28, 2019 at 9:20 am

    So he stated that he was around 500′ but hit wires that were at about 100′? Now that just does not add up and the FAA needs to get serious about the pilot making a false statement in regards to what could have been a serious accident. He was lucky that the aircraft remained flyable and did not lose vital structures, I wonder how the power line fared in this encounter.

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