# NTSB FTW97LA105: Piper PA-36-375, N7167E, Danevang, TX, February 18, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 18, 1997, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Danevang, TX - Coordinates: 29.079883, -96.169631 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0799&lon=-96.1696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20159 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20159/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA105 ## Probable cause The utility's company failure to notify affected parties of the downed line, and the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the downed wire. A factor was the downed wire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - object - wire,static (contributing factor) - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - inadequate, other institution (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the fifth spraying pass, he elected to cross under the power lines which he estimated to be suspended about 35 to 40 feet above the ground. As the airplane crossed under the power lines, at an estimated wheel height of 18 inches above ground level, the left main landing gear became entangled on a broken static wire that was left dangling from atop one of the 65 foot poles. The pilot reported that the static wire, which had been previously cut by another airplane, had been pulled off the ground by the utility company and temporarily tied off so one portion of the cable was suspended about 6 feet off the ground. The pilot stated that the airplane decelerated 'rather abruptly' as the gear was torn from the airframe, and the airplane impacted the ground in 'a slight nose low attitude,' skidding along the ground for 190 feet prior to coming to a stop. The power company reported that a power interruption occurred on the evening prior to the accident; however, the downed static line was left unmarked. Neither the property owner nor the operator of the airplane that cut the line were notified of the downed line prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On February 18, 1997, at 0915 central standard time, a Piper PA-36-375 agricultural airplane, N7167E, was substantially damaged upon collision with a power line near Danevang, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to a private owner and being operated by Texas Ag-Air under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The airplane departed from the Texas Ag-Air Airstrip near Danevang, Texas, at 0845. According to the pilot, he had crossed over the "double pole" east-west cross country power lines several times while spraying herbicides on two adjacent fields. The pilot added that during the fifth spraying pass, he elected to cross under the power lines which he estimated to be suspended about 35 to 40 feet above the ground. As the airplane crossed under the power lines, at an estimated wheel height of 18 inches above ground level, the left main landing gear became entangled on a broken static wire that was left dangling from atop one of the 65 foot poles. The pilot further reported that the static wire, which had been previously cut by another airplane, had been pulled off the ground by the utility company and temporarily tied off so one portion of the cable was suspended about 5 to 6 feet off the ground. The pilot stated that the airplane decelerated "rather abruptly" as the gear was torn from the airframe, and the airplane impacted the ground in "a slight nose low attitude," skidding along the ground for 190 feet prior to coming to a stop in an upright position. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector confirmed that the airframe sustained substantial damage. The power company maintaining the power lines reported that a power interruption occurred on the evening prior to the accident; however, the downed static wire was left unmarked. Neither the property owner nor the operator of the airplane that initially cut the line had been notified of the downed line prior to the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7167E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7167E-2009-12-03), registration cancelled 2009-12-03, S/N 36-7802005, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-36-375 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36-7802005 - Airframe hours: 3600 - Engines: Lycoming IO-720-D1CD 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Jay E. Evanson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1996 - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,286 total, 639 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 12 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PSX, 18 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 19970218003679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970218003679A), Feb 18, 1997: Piper PA36375, Danevang, TX, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot stated that during the fifth spraying pass, he elected to cross under the power lines which he estimated to be suspended about 35 to 40 feet… 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.