# NTSB DEN88LA077: Aeronca 7AC, N2359E, Gila, NM, February 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1988, 12:18 local (19:18 UTC)
- Place: Gila, NM
- Coordinates: 32.960144, -108.56958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9601&lon=-108.5696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17454
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17454/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA077

## 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,static (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT HE AND HIS FRIEND WERE ON A PLEASURE FLT FOLLOWING A RIVER BED WHEN HE SPOTTED SOME ELECTRICAL POWER LINES AHEAD. HE SAID THAT HE FELT THAT HE HAD ADEQUATE CLEARANCE OVER THE LINES BUT THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE STATIC LINE ABOVE THE WIRES. THE ACFT STRUCK THE UNMARKED LINE CAUSING THE PLT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN AND STRUCK THE GROUND INVERTED. THE PLT SAID IT WOULD BE GREAT IF THE STATIC LINES WERE MARKED WITH ORANGE BALL MARKERS. THE PASSENGER ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRES NEED TO BE MARKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2359E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC5956
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert J. Agnew
- Registered owner: Robert J Agnew
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 1987, 33 hours before
- Departed: NONE, GILA, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 662 total, 145 in this make and model, 534 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19880221002999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880221002999A), Feb 21, 1988: Bbavia 7AC, Gila, NM, Substantial damage. Struck a powerline while flying low over a riverbed. Lost control and crashed. Struck unmarked static line.

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.

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