- Date
- July 23, 1998, 15:07 local (20:07 UTC)
- Place
- Clearwater, MN
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N21262Champion 7GCBC
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 15, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19980723016999A
- Case key
- 43102
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot-in-command. The unmarked transmission wire was a contributing factor.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that while in level flight heading southbound at 75' the airplane impacted power lines. The power lines were not marked and were not depicted on the current sectional chart, which he had consulted prior to flight. He added that the poles of the power lines were obscured by trees along the shoreline which make it difficult to be seen in flight. Examination of the Twin Cites Sectional Aeronautical Chart reveals the following caution, 'CAUTION: This chart is primarily designed for VFR navigational purposes and does not purport to indicate the presence of all telephone, telegraph and power transmission lines, terrain or obstacles which may be encountered below reasonable and safe altitudes'.
Factual narrative
On July 23, 1998, at 1507 central daylight time, a Champion 7GCBC, N21262, operated by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted water following an inflight collision with power lines near Clearwater, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot received minor injuries. The local flight departed a private airstrip near St. Cloud, Minnesota at 1415.
In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was heading southbound at 75' agl while sightseeing over the Mississippi river when he impacted power lines in level flight. The power lines were unmarked and were not depicted on the current sectional chart, which the pilot had consulted prior to flight. The pilot added that the power line poles are obscured by trees along the shoreline, making them extremely difficult, if not impossible, to be seen in flight. In a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that the flight controls and engine were operating normally at the time of the accident.
The Twin Cites Sectional Aeronautical Chart states, "CAUTION: This chart is primarily designed for VFR navigational purposes and does not purport to indicate the presence of all telephone, telegraph and power transmission lines, terrain or obstacles which may be encountered below reasonable and safe altitudes".
Aircraft
- Registration
- N21262
- Reported as
- Champion 7GCBC
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 130
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-A2B, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Gary Aysta
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Unknown · October 7, 1968
- Departed
- 3MN8 · St. Cloud, MN
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 21
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Center
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 413 total · 7 in this make and model · 298 as pilot in command · 70 in the last 90 days · 28 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 72 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- STC, 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.