# NTSB CEN10LA074: Gibson Mark Manta 503, N193AW, Magnolia, TX, December 13, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 13, 2009, 17:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Magnolia, TX - Coordinates: 30.203611, -95.751945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2036&lon=-95.7519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75169/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75169 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA074 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a static wire while maneuvering and his improper decision to fly with a low overcast sky. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gibson Mark MANTA 503, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=056268X), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gibson Mark MANTA 503, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056268X), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Gibson Mark MANTA 503, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=056268X), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Gibson Mark MANTA 503, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=056268X), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Gibson Mark MANTA 503, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=056268X), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis While maneuvering near his home, the sport pilot decided to find a landing area near his house to wait out deteriorating weather. After selecting a potential parking lot, the pilot elected to perform a low pass to see if the area was suitable for landing. While approaching the far end of the parking lot the pilot observed power lines running perpendicular to his flight path. During an attempt to fly under the wires, the weight-shift trike impacted a static wire and subsequently the ground. An automated weather observing system 19 nautical miles northeast from the site of the accident, was reporting an overcast ceiling at 300 feet around the time of the accident. There were no reported anomalies with the trike's flight control system. Due to the pilot's injuries, he was unable to submit a NTSB 6120.1 accident reporting form. ## Factual narrative On December 13, 2009, about 1720 central standard time, a Gibson Mark, Manta 503 weight-shift trike, N193AW, was substantially damaged during impact with a static wire while maneuvering near Magnolia, Texas. The sport pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The trike was registered to and operated by the pilot. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local flight. In a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that while flying near his house, the clouds appeared to extend all the way to the ground. The pilot decided to find a landing area near his house to wait out the deteriorating weather. After selecting a potential parking lot, the pilot elected to perform a low pass to see if the area was suitable for landing. While approaching the far end of the parking lot the pilot observed power lines running perpendicular to his flight path. During an attempted to fly under the wires, the trike impacted a static wire and subsequently the ground. Due to the pilot's injuries, he was unable to submit a NTSB 6120.1 accident form. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that responded to the accident site reported that the trike’s undercarriage had sustained structural damage. In addition, there were no reported anomalies with the trike’s flight control system. At 1753, the automated weather observing system at the Loan Star Executive Airport (CXO), Conroe, Texas, located 19 nautical miles northeast from the site of the accident, reported wind from 110 degrees at 4 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, overcast at 300 feet, temperature 52 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 52 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.01 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N193AW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N193AW), registered now, S/N M503-08-001, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GIBSON MARK MANTA 503 - Registry model: [Gibson Mark MANTA 503](https://openairdocs.org/model/gibson-mark-manta-503) (registry code 056268X) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-series) (registry code 55564, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift, amateur-built - Serial number: M503-08-001 - Engines: ROTAX 503 52 horsepower - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Conroe, TX - Destination: Conroe, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: CXO, 19 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75169. 1.0 MB in all. - Record of Conversation (item 1, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324074&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Redacted.PDF - Digital Photo 1, Left side view (item 2, .PDF, 989 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324075&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Digital%20Photo%201,%20Left%20side%20view-Master.PDF 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.