# NTSB CEN18LA082: Matheny Larry E Christavia MK 1, N746LM, Grand Detour, IL, January 20, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 20, 2018, 12:33 local (18:33 UTC) - Place: Grand Detour, IL - Coordinates: 41.895, -89.411392 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8950&lon=-89.4114&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 96638 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96638/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96638 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA082 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power line. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s intentional flight at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Matheny Larry E CHRISTAVIA MK 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=05627FM), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Matheny Larry E CHRISTAVIA MK 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05627FM), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Matheny Larry E CHRISTAVIA MK 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05627FM), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Matheny Larry E CHRISTAVIA MK 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05627FM), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Matheny Larry E CHRISTAVIA MK 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=05627FM), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Matheny Larry E CHRISTAVIA MK 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05627FM), [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: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Matheny Larry E CHRISTAVIA MK 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05627FM), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was flying an experimental airplane at a low altitude along a river when the airplane struck a power line suspended 30 ft above the river, causing the airplane to cartwheel. The power line wrapped around the airplane, and the airplane descended straight down, impacting the ice-covered river. A postaccident examination of the airplane showed that the fuselage forward of the instrument panel, the engine cowling, and the engine were bent upward about 30°. The forward fuel tank between the cabin and the engine had broken open, and the smell of fuel was apparent. The airplane's propeller showed indications that the engine was producing high power when the airplane struck the power line. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Examination of the engine and other airplane systems showed no preimpact anomalies. Thus, the accident likely occurred because the pilot did not see the power line suspended across the river while he was flying close to the river surface. ## Factual narrative On January 20, 2018, about 1233 central standard time, a Matheny Christavia Mk1 homebuilt airplane, N746LM, struck a power line and impacted on an ice-covered river during low-altitude flight near Grand Detour, Illinois. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were seriously injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight, which had departed from the Poplar Grove Airport (C77), Poplar Grove, Illinois.Witnesses observed the airplane flying low over the Rock River between 1120 and the time of the accident. One witness who lived near Machesney Park, Illinois, saw the airplane flying 100 ft. above the river and within 400 to 500 ft. above houses. Another witness who lived along the back channel of the river near Grand Detour said the airplane went by her house so close that she could see the pilot in the airplane. She estimated the airplane was 15 ft. above the river. Moments later, the airplane struck a power line that ran from the river bank across to an island in the river. The airplane subsequently cartwheeled in the air wrapping the power line around it, and then dove straight down, impacting on the ice-covered river. An examination of the airplane showed a power line wire wrapped around the leading and trailing edges of both wings at the wing roots, and around the aft cabin. The left aft cabin window was broken inward and showed wire marks on the Plexiglas. The right main landing gear was broken inward and under the airplane's cabin. Wire marks were observed on the tire and gear strut. The front windscreen was broken out and fragmented, and the forward fuselage at the instrument panel, the engine cowling, and the engine were bent upward 30°. The forward fuel tank between the cabin and the engine was broken open and the smell of AVGAS was prevalent. The airplane's wood propeller was broken aft and splintered circumferentially. The outboard 5 ft. of the airplane's left wing was broken aft and downward. Wire marks were observed along the top wing skin starting at the fracture and running aft and outboard toward the wing tip and wing trailing edge. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine and other airplane systems showed no preimpact anomalies. According to Commonwealth Edison, the electricity provider to Grand Detour, the power line height above the river where the airplane came in contact with it was about 30 ft. A NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report form was sent to the pilot to complete. The pilot never returned the filled-out form, despite several attempts on the part of the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration to have him do so. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N746LM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N746LM-2020-02-03), registration cancelled 2020-02-03, S/N 015, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MATHENY LARRY E CHRISTAVIA MK 1 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Matheny Larry E CHRISTAVIA MK 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/matheny-larry-e-christavia-mk-1) (registry code 05627FM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200-series) (registry code 17402, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 015 - Year built: 2009 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: C77, POPLAR GROVE, IL - Destination: C77, POPLAR GROVE, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 850 total, 2 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 23,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: RFD, 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 20180120001009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180120001009A), Jan 20, 2018: Matheny Larry E CHRISTAVIA MK 1, Grand Detour, IL, Substantial damage. On January 20, 2018 at approximately 1230 CST, [privacy data omitted] was pilot in command (PIC) of N746LM a christavia mk 1 when N746LM hit a power line and… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96638. 2.4 MB in all. - Memorandum of Conversation Nate Hiller (item 1, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460970&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20Nate%20Hiller-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation Sue Van Oosten (item 2, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460971&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20Sue%20Van%20Oosten-Master.PDF - Bill Radunz E-Mail Statement (item 3, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460972&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bill%20Radunz%20E-Mail%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statements (item 4, .PDF, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460973&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statements-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation Jeff Lewis (item 5, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460974&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20Jeff%20Lewis-Master.PDF - Maps of the Accident Area (item 6, .PDF, 391 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460975&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20of%20the%20Accident%20Area-Master.PDF - Illinois State Police Aircraft Accident Report (item 7, .PDF, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460976&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Illinois%20State%20Police%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Master.PDF - Illinois State Police Field Report (item 8, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460977&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Illinois%20State%20Police%20Field%20Report-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 9, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460978&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Photographs (item 10, .PDF, 6 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460979&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs-Master.PDF - 6120.1 Letter to the Pilot (item 11, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460980&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=6120.1%20Letter%20to%20the%20Pilot-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.