# NTSB ERA17CA012: Bellanca 8KCAB, N2504Z, Knoxville, TN, October 11, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 11, 2016, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Knoxville, TN - Coordinates: 35.957221, -83.800834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9572&lon=-83.8008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 94192 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17CA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94192/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94192 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA012 ## Probable cause The pilot's intentional low-altitude operation, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from unmarked utility wires. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1220801), [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. - [Enroute-cruise: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after departing and while flying along a river, the airplane struck two of five unmarked utility wires that spanned the river. The airplane subsequently impacted water, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe and minor injuries to the pilot and passenger. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated, "Increase altitude minimums by at least double to ensure adequate reaction time to avoid obstacles." ## Factual narrative Shortly after departing, and while flying along a river, the airplane struck 2 of 5 unmarked utility wires that spanned across the river. The airplane subsequently impacted the water below resulting in substantial damage to the airframe and minor injuries to the pilot and passenger. When asked how the accident could have been prevented the pilot stated, "Increase altitude minimums by at least double to ensure adequate reaction time to avoid obstacles." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2504Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2504Z-2018-07-30), registration cancelled 2018-07-30, S/N 329-77 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 329-77 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 1633.7 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-H1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 2016, 145 hours before - Departed: DKX, Knoxville, TN - Destination: 24A, SYLVA, NC - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 17, 2015; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,905 total, 330 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 368 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: TYS, 13 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 20161011024219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161011024219A), Oct 11, 2016: Bellanca 8KCAB, Knoxville, TN, Destroyed. Pilot was flying low over river valley. Airplane collided with unmarked power lines strung over the river. Initial impact occurred on the aircrafts right wing… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94192. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 673 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452678&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452679&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Witness Interview (item 3, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452680&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Witness%20Interview-Master.PDF - Visual Flight Rules Sectional Excerpt (item 4, .PDF, 449 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452681&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Visual%20Flight%20Rules%20Sectional%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 5, .PDF, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452682&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Investigative Photographs (item 6, .PDF, 3 photos, 588 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452683&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-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.