# NTSB GAA19CA021: Aviat S, N126BB, Hampton, GA, October 9, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 9, 2018, 16:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Hampton, GA - Coordinates: 33.385833, -84.322219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3858&lon=-84.3222&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98486 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98486/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98486 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA021 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power wires during approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat S-2C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8130001), [All aircraft, 809 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: [Aviat S-2C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=8130001), [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. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat S-2C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=8130001), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The biplane pilot reported that, while performing a reconnaissance flight to determine the viability of landing the biplane on the infield section of the racing track for an upcoming airshow, he made several passes and saw no power wires. He added that, during an approach to the proposed landing area, the biplane struck a power wire. The pilot aborted the approach, performed a quick controllability check, and decided to land at a nearby airport. The pilot landed the biplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left ailerons. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The biplane pilot reported that, while performing a reconnaissance flight to determine the viability of landing the biplane on the infield section of the racing track for an upcoming airshow, several passes were made, and no power wires were observed. He added that, during an approach to the proposed landing area, the biplane struck a power wire. The pilot aborted the approach, performed a quick controllability check, and decided to land at the nearby airport. The biplane landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left ailerons. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N126BB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N126BB), registered now, S/N 6046, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT S (2C) - Registry model: [Aviat S-2C](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-s-2c) (registry code 8130001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6046 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 2712 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-450 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Grayout Aerosports Llc - Registered owner: Grayout Aerosports Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, March 23, 2018 - Departed: HMP, Hampton, GA - Destination: HMP, Hampton, GA - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 19, 2017; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 12,392 total, 1,598 in this make and model, 9,817 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: K6A2, 10 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 20181009019669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181009019669A), Oct 9, 2018: Aviat Aircraft Inc S-2C, Hampton, GA, Substantial damage. The aircraft departed Henry County Airport (khmp) for a landing zone Survey flight for an upcoming airshow at atlanta motor speedway. The survey flight was to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 7, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98486. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470197&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470198&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.