# NTSB BFO95LA085: Birdman Enterprises Chinook 2S, N35KK, Hammondsville, OH, August 13, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1995, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Hammondsville, OH
- Coordinates: 40.569805, -80.72039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5698&lon=-80.7204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA085

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from obstacles (power lines) in his flight path.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission
  - altitude/clearance - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT HE WAS '...FOLLOWING THE COURSE OF YELLOW CREEK JUST TO ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF IT.'  HE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS BELOW THE ELEVATION OF HILLS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CREEK WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES IN ITS FLIGHT PATH.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN '...FELL STRAIGHT DOWN INTO YELLOW CREEK.'  THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT SEE THE POWER LINES OR TOWERS THAT WOULD INDICATE THE PRESENCE OF POWER LINES BEFORE THE COLLISION.

## Factual narrative

On August 13, 1995, at 1950 eastern daylight time, a Birdman  Enterprises, Inc. Chinook 2S ultralight,  N35KK, sustained  substantial  damage when it struck powerlines and descended  into a creek  near Hammondsville, Ohio.  The certificated private  pilot received serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions  prevailed for the local pleasure flight, no flight plan was  filed.   The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from   Toronto, Ohio, at 1900  eastern daylight time.

The pilot reported that during the accident flight he was "...following  the course of Yellow Creek just to enjoy the beauty of it...below the  elevation of the hills on either side of the creek... ."  He stated that  he was looking for towers that would indicate the presence of power  lines, but he "...did not see any before I collided with a 69000 volt  power line that crossed my path."  The airplane impacted the wire,  then dropped to the ground, and came to rest in the creek.  The pilot  reported that there were no restrictions to visibility, and recommended  that "Power lines be made more visible."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35KK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35KK-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 00662, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BIRDMAN ENTERPRISES, INC. CHINOOK 2S
- Registry model: [Kuck Bob CHINOOK 2S](https://openairdocs.org/model/kuck-bob-chinook-2s) (registry code 05676B5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Serial number: 00662
- Airframe hours: 570
- Engines: ROTAX 503 48 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bob A. Kuck
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 13, 1995, 1 hours before
- Departed: IG8, TORONTO, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 900 total, 500 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HLG, 23 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19950813028549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950813028549A), Aug 13, 1995: Amtr CHINOOK2S, Hammondsville, OH, Substantial damage. Struck power line and crashed into a creek while following the creek at an unsafe altitude. (-23) pilot flying ultralight aircraft at low altitude in…

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.

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