# NTSB GAA16CA312: Piper PA 28, N6700J, Gilmer, TX, June 11, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 10, 2016, 20:30 local (Jun 11, 2016, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Gilmer, TX
- Coordinates: 32.698055, -94.94889 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6981&lon=-94.9489&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93379
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA312
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93379/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93379
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA312

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to see and avoid powerlines during landing, and the flight instructor's delayed remediation when the student cut the base to final turn short, resulting in a wire strike and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's lack of vigilance in monitoring the area for hazards, and the low light condition.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,311 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 810 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 589 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 895 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Light condition: low light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 810 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,428 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 135 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor reported that he was providing simulated engine failure (SEF) training, with a left 180 degree turn, to the student pilot. He reported that during the second SEF, he cut the power and the student pilot slowly made a left turn from downwind to base. The flight instructor recalled that the student "cut the base leg short" and turned toward the end of the runway. He reported that the airplane was about 25 degrees to the left of the runway centerline, the sun was setting and they failed to see the powerline wires. The airplane struck the wires and fell to the ground sustaining substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane that would have precluded normal flight operations. As a recommendation the flight instructor reported that due to the calm wind, he should have switched to the reciprocal runway to mitigate the sun's position during landing.

## Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that he was providing simulated engine failure (SEF) training, with a left 180 degree turn, to the student pilot. He reported that during the second SEF, he cut the power and the student pilot slowly made a left turn from downwind to base. The flight instructor recalled that the student "cut the base leg short" and turned toward the end of the runway. He reported that the airplane was about 25 degrees to the left of the runway centerline, the sun was setting and they failed to see the powerline wires. The airplane struck the wires and fell to the ground sustaining substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane that would have precluded normal flight operations. As a recommendation the flight instructor reported that due to the calm wind, he should have switched to the reciprocal runway to mitigate the sun's position during landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6700J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6700J-2016-09-30), registration cancelled 2016-09-30, S/N 28-24394, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28 (140)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-24394
- Year built: 1968
- Airframe hours: 3717.7
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2015
- Departed: JXI, Gilmer, TX
- Destination: JXI, Gilmer, TX
- Airport: JXI, Fox Stephens Field - Gilmer Mu, runway 18, 4,000 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 71; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 16, 2016; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 14,738 total, 226 in this make and model, 13,275 as pilot in command, 171 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 68; injuries: none; flight engineer, student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 90 total, 49 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: KJXI

## 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 20160610010249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160610010249A), Jun 10, 2016: Piper PA-28-140, Gilmer, TX, Destroyed. Instructor was giving student emergency power out training. Instructor cut power on down wind, they turned 20 % of runway center line. Pilots did not see power…

## Other investigations on N6700J (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW73FPA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FPA09), Aug 9, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N6700J), Dallas, TX, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 11, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93379. 791 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 262 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458999&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 529 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445239&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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