# NTSB CHI06CA246: Aviat A-1B, N314MA, Minocqua, WI, August 26, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 26, 2006, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Minocqua, WI - Coordinates: 45.928054, -89.731109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9281&lon=-89.7311&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Milwaukee, WI FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64450 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64450/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA246 ## Probable cause The inadvertent collision with power lines. A factor associated with the accident was the water which blended in with the power lines resulting in the pilot's inability to see them prior to contact. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - terrain condition - water (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (cause) - visual lookout - attempted, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The amphibious airplane collided with power lines while on final approach to land on a lake. The pilot reported that he flew upwind over the lake at an altitude of 500 feet above the water to look for boats and obstructions. Not seeing any, he entered a traffic pattern to land. He reported that he was on final approach, slightly below tree top level, when the airplane contacted the power line. The pilot reported that he instantly applied full power and back elevator trying to keep the airplane level. He reported the airplane "pancaked" into the water. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane without injury. Inspection of the landing site revealed the poles which supported the power lines were located in wooded areas on both sides of the water and the color of the power line blended with the water. The pilot reported that residents who live on the lake informed him that the power lines were marked with orange balls until the lines were replaced a couple years ago at which time the balls were removed. ## Factual narrative The amphibious airplane collided with power lines while on final approach to land on a lake. The pilot reported he flew upwind over the lake at an altitude of 500 feet above the water to look for boats and obstructions. Not seeing any, he entered a traffic pattern to land. He reported he was on final approach, slightly below tree top level, when the airplane contacted the power line. The pilot reported he instantly applied full power and back elevator trying to keep the airplane level. He reported the airplane "pancaked" into the water. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane without injury. Inspection of the landing site revealed the poles which supported the power lines were located in wooded areas on both sides of the water and the color of the power line blended with the water. The pilot reported that residents who live on the lake informed him that the power lines were marked with orange balls until the lines were replaced a couple years ago at which time the balls were removed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N314MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N314MA-2007-06-15), registration cancelled 2007-06-15, S/N 2179, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat A-1B - Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2179 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard W. Hansen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Lac Du Flambeau, WI - Destination: Minocqua, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 6,967 total, 30 in this make and model, 6,967 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg ## 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 20060826026689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060826026689A), Aug 26, 2006: Aviat A1B, Arbor Vitae, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot-in-command N314MA was [privacy data omitted]. He departed crawing stone lake, lac du flambeau, WI at approximately 1600. He then flew to make a… 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.