# NTSB CEN23LA058: Stinson 108-3, N7659X, Regent, ND, December 3, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 3, 2022, 16:09, time zone not recorded - Place: Regent, ND - Coordinates: 46.428057, -102.52786 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4281&lon=-102.5279&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 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): 106415 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106415/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106415 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA058 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain clearance from high tension wires while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while maneuvering the airplane at low altitude to observe sculptures on the ground, he did not see the high-tension wires due to diverted attention and the setting sun. The airplane collided with the wires, the vertical stabilizer sheared off, and the engine seized. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain. The empennage and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7659X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7659X), registered now, S/N 1084859 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON 108-3 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1084859 - Airframe hours: 1856.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-435-C 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 2022 - Departed: 3P3, Mott, ND - Destination: 3P3, Mott, ND - Airport: n/a - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 23, 2021; seat: left; flight hours: 357.3 total, 285 in this make and model, 276.9 as pilot in command, 1.2 in the last 90 days, 1.2 in the last 30 days, 1.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KDIK, 25 nm away - METAR: KDIK 032256Z AUTO 26007KT 10SM CLR M06/M12 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP225 T10611122 ## 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 20221203018239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221203018239A), Dec 3, 2022: Stinson 108-3, Regent, ND, Substantial damage. Pilot was operating airplane at low altitude with 2 passengers along scenic highway and struck power transmission lines at approximately 40 feet. Top of… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 17, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106415. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 577 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15045046&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%206120_master.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 794 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15022684&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photo%20sheet-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.