LAX00LA058

The pilot made four landings to the stolport without mishap. During his fifth approach he collided with power lines because, according to the pilot, he was too low and could not arrest the homebuilt airplane's descent rate in time to avoid the power lines on final approach. The airplane collided with the wires and a dirt berm about 115 yards prior to the beginning of the dirt airstrip.

On December 26, 1999, about 1340 hours Pacific standard time, an experimental O'Hara Bob, Bakeng Duce, N8523X, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with power lines on final approach to an uncontrolled airstrip, about 1/2-mile east of Carson City, Nevada. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, which was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed. The local area flight originated from Carson City about 1230.

The certificated commercial pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that no mechanical malfunctions were experienced during the flight in his homebuilt airplane. The pilot stated that his airplane's altitude was too low on final approach. He added engine power to arrest the descent, but collided with wires and a dirt berm about 115 yards prior to the beginning of the dirt airstrip.

In the pilot's completed report, he indicated that prior to the accident he had made four landings on the runway without mishap. He collided with the power lines during his fifth approach.