# NTSB CHI01LA143: Piper PA-28-140, N9714W, Detroit Lakes, MN, February 18, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 18, 2001, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Detroit Lakes, MN - Coordinates: 46.809635, -95.840332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8096&lon=-95.8403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52331 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52331/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA143 ## Probable cause Altitude/clearance not maintained from the transmission wires during a low altitude flight/maneuver performed by the pilot. A factor to the accident was the transmission wires. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis While flying low over a lake the aircraft collided with power transmission wires. The pilot stated, " Flew down low on this lake on the edge of Frazee (about tree top high). Started pulling up and there were power lines across the lake. Pointed nose down to clear but the prop cut the bottom wire and the tail took the top one." The pilot reported, "Damaged the leading edges on both wings and the vertical stab on the tail." ## Factual narrative On February 18, 2001, at approximately 1330 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N9714W, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with a power transmission line while maneuvering near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the proposed accident time. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and his two passengers did not report any injuries. The flight departed Fergus Falls Municipal Airport, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, at 1300. According to the pilot's written statement, " Flew down low on this lake on the edge of Frazee (about tree top high). Started pulling up and there were power lines across the lake. Pointed nose down to clear but the prop cut the bottom wire and the tail took the top one." The pilot reported, "Damaged the leading edges on both wings and the vertical stab on the tail." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9714W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9714W-2007-05-08), registration cancelled 2007-05-08, S/N 28-23190, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-23190 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: West Central Airways, INC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FFM, FERGUS FALLS, MN - Destination: DTL, DETROIT LAKES, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 25, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 57 total, 16 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: FAR, 39 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 20010218011009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010218011009A), Feb 18, 2001: Piper PA28140, Frazee, MN, No damage. (-23)While buzzing friends at big towne lake in Frazee, MN, aircraft struck and cut an electrical power line. The aircraft flew to detroit lakes airport,… ## Other investigations on N9714W (3) 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. - [NTSB CHI06FA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06FA275), Aug 24, 2006: Piper PA-28-140 (N9714W), Kulm, ND, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The non-instrument rated pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in his inadvertent encounter with a thunderstorm and his loss of aircraft control. A factor… - [NTSB CHI02LA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA299), Sep 30, 2002: Piper PA-28-140 (N9714W), Moorhead, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate fuel management by the certified flight instructor. - [NTSB CHI82DER05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DER05), Oct 20, 1981: Piper PA-28 (N9714W), New York Mills, MN, substantial damage 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.