# NTSB ERA10CA046: American AA1, N7266L, Lake Placid, FL, November 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 3, 2009, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Lake Placid, FL - Coordinates: 27.269721, -81.188613 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2697&lon=-81.1886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75001/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75001 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA046 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a local sightseeing flight, the pilot descended through an altitude of 1,000 feet to be able to see a waterway below him. As the pilot performed the low flight maneuver, the airplane impacted a power line, causing the vertical stabilizer to separate from the airplane. The pilot reported experiencing resistance and a vibration with the airplane, followed by a loss of control. He was able to subsequently perform a forced landing straight ahead, during which the airplane sustained damage to the nose gear and to the rudder. A witness stated that he heard a low flying airplane, followed by a loud noise similar to a "pop," and then he observed the airplane dragging a cable. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, revealed the vertical stabilizer, with 150 feet of power line still attached. It was located approximately 300 feet aft of the wreckage. No pre-impact malfunctions were reported by the pilot or identified during the post-accident examination. ## Factual narrative During a local sightseeing flight, the pilot descended through an altitude of 1,000 feet to be able to see a waterway below him. As the pilot performed the low flight maneuver, the airplane impacted a power line, causing the vertical stabilizer to separate from the airplane. The pilot reported experiencing resistance and a vibration with the airplane, followed by a loss of control. He was able to subsequently perform a forced landing straight ahead, during which the airplane sustained damage to the nose gear and to the rudder. A witness stated he heard a low flying airplane, followed by a loud noise similar to a "pop," and then he observed the airplane dragging a cable. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, revealed the vertical stabilizer, with 150 feet of power line still attached, was located approximately 300 feet aft of the wreckage. No pre-impact malfunctions were reported by the pilot or identified during the post-accident examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7266L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7266L-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N AA1A-0466, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN AVIATION AA1 (A) - Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0466 - Airframe hours: 2380 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 2008, 50 hours before - Departed: X07, Lake Wales, FL - Destination: X07, Lake Wales, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 19, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 328 total, 50 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: OBE, 30 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 20091103050919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091103050919A), Nov 3, 2009: American Av AA-1A, Lake Placid, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he was sight seeing with one pax aboard, he was cruising at 1000' AGL and dove down to see a canal, upon pulling out of the dive he… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75001. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321567&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 4, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing Damage to Aircraft. (item 5, .PDF, 428 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321558&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Aircraft.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing Vertical Stabilizer and Wire. (item 6, .PDF, 417 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20Vertical%20Stabilizer%20and%20Wire.-Master.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.