# NTSB ATL94LA051: Piper PA-12, N2964M, Smithfield, NC, February 19, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 19, 1994, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Smithfield, NC - Coordinates: 35.49921, -78.33995 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4992&lon=-78.3400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3348 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3348/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA051 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES. FACTORS WERE THE UNMARKED POWER LINES LOCATED UNDER THE FINAL APPROACH PATH, AND THE SUN GLARE THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis DURING THE FINAL APPROACH TO A PRIVATE, GRASS AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT OBSERVED TWO UTILITY POLES TO THE LEFT OF THE FINAL APPROACH PATH, BUT THOUGHT HE WAS ABOVE THEM. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT THE APPROACH WAS MADE DIRECTLY INTO THE SUN. WHILE ON FINAL, THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED A POWER LINE. AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS LOST, AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND ABOUT 200 FEET SHORT OF THE GRASS RUNWAY. THE FAA INSPECTOR WHO VISITED THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED THAT THE POWER LINES WERE NOT MARKED WITH ANY TYPE OF MATERIAL WHICH WOULD DRAW INCREASED ATTENTION TO THEIR LOCATION. ## Factual narrative On February 19, 1994, at about 1000 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-12, N2964M, collided with a power line during an approach to a private, grass airstrip near Smithfield, North Carolina. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The private pilot had minor injuries. The aircraft was owned and operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight from Kenansville, North Carolina, to Smithfield. The flight originated in Kenansville at 0900. The pilot reported the following: while established on final for landing at the grass airstrip, he did not see a power line that was positioned near the final approach course. He did recall seeing two utility poles on his left while on final approach, and believed that he was above the poles. The aircraft collided with the wire, and the aircraft was landed in an open field. Structural damage to the airframe resulted. A supervisory inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration visited the accident site and inspected the wreckage. He reported the following: the wreckage was found approximately 200 feet short of the turf runway. The broken power lines were not marked with any material which would draw increased attention to their location. The left wing was partially separated from the fuselage, beginning at the trailing edge and progressing forward. The left wing was still attached at the forward attachment point. The right wing was basically undamaged. In a telephone conversation after the accident, the pilot reported that he was making an approach to the east, looking directly into the sun. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2964M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2964M), registered now, S/N 12-1358, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12 - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-1358 - Airframe hours: 1542 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jones, Gareth B. - Registered owner: Jones, Gareth B. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1993, 23 hours before - Departed: DPL, KENANSVILLE, NC - Airport: NONE, Middle Creek Farm, runway 4, 1,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 394 total, 48 in this make and model, 332 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RDU, 28 nm away 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.