# NTSB GAA15CA255: Aviat A-1C-200, N63BW, Irwin, ID, August 27, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 27, 2015, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Irwin, ID - Coordinates: 43.396667, -111.298332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3967&lon=-111.2983&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Salt Lake City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91957 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91957/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91957 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA255 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during low level flight, which resulted in the airplane striking a wire, impacting water, and nosing over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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: [Aviat A-1C-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-200, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-200, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-200, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a low level flight, the airplane struck a wire over a river. The landing gear contacted the wire, the wire stretched like a "bungee cord," and then the wire broke. The airplane pulled to the right with the wire still attached, the pilot landed in the river, and the airplane nosed over. The recovery of the airplane from the river revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. The pilot reported that, "I could have prevented this accident by better observation of power lines over the river." The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a low level flight, the airplane struck a wire over a river. The landing gear contacted the wire, the wire stretched like a "bungee cord," and then the wire broke. The airplane pulled to the right with the wire still attached, the pilot landed in the river, and the airplane nosed over. The recovery of the airplane from the river revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. The pilot reported that, "I could have prevented this accident by better observation of power lines over the river." The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63BW-2018-03-28), registration cancelled 2018-03-28, S/N 3159, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1C-200 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Aviat A-1C-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1c-200) (registry code 2210411) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1D6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1d6) (registry code 41822, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3159 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 142.8 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kevin Bloxham Premier Construction Supply Inc, doing business as Premier Construction Supply Inc - Registered owner: Kevin Bloxham Premier Construction Supply Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 2014 - Departed: 46U, ALPINE, WY - Destination: U56, RIGBY, ID - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 13, 2015; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,112 total, 326 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KDIJ, 23 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 20150827013689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150827013689A), Aug 27, 2015: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-200, Irwen, ID, Destroyed. Pilot was flying low level above the snake river, below the palisades dam. At 35 feet AGL he struck power lines which then snapped, but became attached to the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91957. 5.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432373&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.