# Accident 20180506004809A: Experimental APOLLO AG1, Smith Beach, VA, May 6, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 6, 2018, 15:10 local time
- Place: Smith Beach, VA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.3628° N, 75.9908° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3628&lon=-75.9908&mi=10
- Aircraft: N141C, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N141C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Barry Maggio APOLLO AG-1 (registry code 05634CG, https://openairdocs.org/model/barry-maggio-apollo-ag-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 914ULS (registry code 55552, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914uls) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EXPERIMENTAL APOLLO AG1
- Reported engine: ROTAX 914UL
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,700 total, 464 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA18TA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18TA142) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180506004809A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRCRAFT HIT POWER LINES ON APPROACH TO A ROAD AFTER CROSSING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE. APPROXIMATELY 20 FT OF POWERLINE CABLE WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE PROPELLOR. THE FUSELFAGE AND NOSE LANDING GEAR SUFFERED IMPACT DAMAGE. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES ALL SUFFERED IMPACT DAMAGE.

PILOT STATES THAT AS HE FLEW ACROSS THE CHESAPEAKE BAY,ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT ACCOMACK AIRPORT.  THE CLOUD CEILING CAME DOWN VERY LOW AND HE DECIDED TO TRY AND LAND AT A PRIVATE STRIP. ONCE HE SAW WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE PRIVATE STRIP, HE CIRCLED TO APPROACH FOR LANDING. HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE POWER LINES AND DOES NOT REMEMBER STRIKING THEM OR THE AIRCRAFT COMING DOWN.

WEATHER DATA SHOWED THE CLOUD CEILING AT 500FT WITH VISIBLILTY OF 1.5 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA18TA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18TA142), May 6, 2018: Barry Maggio Apollo AG-1 (N141C), Smith Beach, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The noninstrument-rated pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning, which resulted in an off-airport precautionary landing to avoid weather and a subsequent collision with power…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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