# NTSB CHI98LA075: Piper PA-28-161, N8465F, Boone, IA, December 31, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 31, 1997, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Boone, IA - Coordinates: 42.049015, -93.870201 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0490&lon=-93.8702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10815 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10815/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=10815 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA075 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from obstruction(s), while flying low over a river. The obstruction (power line) was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - landing gear,nose gear assembly - bent - Nose gear collapsed, landing ## Analysis While flying low along a river, the airplane contacted transmission lines, which were about 100 feet above the terrain. The nose gear was bent back by the collision with the wires. Subsequently, the nose gear collapsed during landing. ## Factual narrative On December 31, 1997, at 1450 central standard time, a Piper PA- 28-161, N8465F, operated by a private pilot collided with powerlines while maneuvering over a river in Boone, Iowa. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Following the collision the pilot landed the airplane at the Boone Municipal Airport, Boone, Iowa. The flight originated from the Boone Municipal Airport at 1430 cst. The pilot reported that after departure he flew over the passengers farm then proceeded to fly over the Ledges State Park at an altitude of about 1,000 feet above the ground. The pilot reported he then continued the flight to the north over Highway 30 toward the Kate Shelley high bridge at which time he descended to give the passengers a better view. He reported that as he "...flew around a bluff we heard a loud thump as the plane was slowed down a bit...." The pilot reported that he did not know at that time what the airplane hit. He reported that following the collision the control yoke was shifted to the left and the airplane did not seem to respond correctly. The pilot continued the flight back to the Boone Municipal Airport for landing. He reported that he was unable to get the throttle to "close completely" and even with 30 degrees of flaps he was unable to slow the airplane down sufficiently to land. He performed a go-around and "...planned ahead to slow the airplane down..." during the second landing attempt. He reported that during this landing he was "...only able to slow down to 100 mph." The airplane touched down at which time the nose gear collapsed and the propeller struck the runway. According to the Central Iowa Power Company, the span of unmarked powerline which the airplane struck was 1,270 feet in length and under 14,000 pounds of tension. The airplane contacted the lines at an altitude of about 100 feet above the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8465F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8465F), registered now, S/N 28-7716005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7716005 - Airframe hours: 4305 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Iowa City Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 23, 1997, 135 hours before - Departed: BNW, IA - Airport: BNW, Boone Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 165 total, 124 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BNW ## 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 19971231039889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971231039889A), Dec 31, 1997: Piper PA28161, Boone, IA, Substantial damage. Struck power line 100 feet AGL. Managed to land safely at airport in spite of damage and collapsed nose gear. (.4)while flying low along a river, the airplane… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 1998, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=10815. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402934&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%2F2-Redacted.PDF - Supplement S (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40084213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S-Master.PDF - Record of Interview and Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402935&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview%20and%20Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Boone County Sheriff's Report (item 5, .PDF, 367 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Boone%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Report-Redacted.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.