# NTSB GAA16CA080: Aviat A1, N29712, Broadus, MT, December 13, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 13, 2015, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Broadus, MT
- Coordinates: 45.119998, -105.434165 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1200&lon=-105.4342&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
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92451
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92451/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92451
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA080

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires while flying at a low altitude resulting in a wire strike, a loss of airplane control, and the consequent impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Christen Industries A-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=221020X), [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: [Christen Industries A-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 290 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, while flying at low altitude and following the course of a river, he did not see the telephone wires that spanned the width of the river. He recalled that while following the river's path, the airplane struck the wires, the airspeed decreased, and the wires "broke". He reported that during the moments while the airplane was in contact with the wires, the airspeed bled off to below stall airspeed, descended, and impacted the ground east of the river bank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, while flying at low altitude and following the course of a river, he did not see the telephone wires that spanned the width of the river. He recalled that while following the river's path, the airplane struck the wires, the airspeed decreased, and the wires "broke". He reported that during the moments while the airplane was in contact with the wires, the airspeed bled off to below stall airspeed, descended, and impacted the ground east of the river bank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29712](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29712-2016-08-25), registration cancelled 2016-08-25, S/N 1073, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAT A1 (Husky)
- Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C1G](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c1g) (registry code 42284, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1073
- Year built: 1989
- Airframe hours: 9226.5
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Curt Shatzer
- Registered owner: Curt Shatzer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 2015, 25 hours before
- Departed: Weston, WY
- Destination: 00F, Broadus, MT
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 6, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 834 total, 543 in this make and model, 818 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.71 inHg
- Observed at: W43, 91 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 20151213019779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151213019779A), Dec 13, 2015: Christen Industries Inc A-1, Broadus, MT, Substantial damage. Aircraft was flying low up the powder river when it struck a telephone line. The telephone line slowed the aircraft down below stall speed before it broke. The…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 10, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92451. 2.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437647&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 556 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437648&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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