# NTSB CEN22LA088: Boeing A75N1(PT17), N64602, Rainbow, TX, December 25, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 25, 2021, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Rainbow, TX - Coordinates: 32.296997, -97.70887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2970&lon=-97.7089&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 104464 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104464/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104464 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA088 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to conduct an intentional low altitude flight which resulted in a collision with wires and impact with terrain. ## 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: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting a planned local flight with the passenger and flying about 30 ft above ground level in an open riverbed area, when about the time he elected to climb the airplane out of the area, the airplane impacted unmarked wires that crossed the river. The airplane subsequently impacted in shallow river water and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64602](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64602-2023-01-06), registration cancelled 2023-01-06, S/N 75-3468, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1(PT17) - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming R680](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680) (registry code 41540, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-3468 - Year built: 1942 - Airframe hours: 7363 - Engines: Lycoming R-680-E3R 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 2021 - Departed: 0TX0, Granbury, TX - Airport: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 25, 2020; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,053 total, 518 in this make and model, 899 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: GDJ, 8 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 20211225021379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211225021379A), Dec 25, 2021: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Rainbow, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot was giving rides to relatives for the holiday, flying down the brazos river bed. Stated he had done this several times in a specific area at around 30-50… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 28, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104464. 5.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13110312&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=M_Sager_NTSB%20Accident%20Form_signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photograph (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 427 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13095614&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photograph-Rel.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.