# NTSB LAX00LA267: Piper PA-22-160, N8768D, Lancaster, CA, July 15, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 2000, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, CA - Coordinates: 34.720138, -118.480697 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7201&lon=-118.4807&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49715 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA267 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49715/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA267 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty winds conditions that resulted in the collision with a power line during final approach. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was on approach to the dirt airstrip where he based his airplane when he encountered wind gusts, which he said buffeted him around and caused a loss of lift. The airplane came into contact with power lines, which were about 30 feet agl. The airplane descended nose first and struck the ground. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 2000, at 1150 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-22-160, N8768D, collided with power lines on approach to a dirt airstrip at Lancaster, California. The private pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage during the contact with the power lines. The personal cross-country flight was conducted under CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane had taken off from Tehachapi at 1100, and was destined for Little Buttes Antique Airstrip in Lancaster. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan was not filed. The pilot said he was lined up on approach to the dirt runway in a westerly direction when the wind buffeted him around and caused a loss of lift. The tail wheel of the airplane struck a power line about 30 feet above ground level (agl), and the airplane descended to a nose first ground impact. The impact caused damage to the propeller, the landing gear, left rear strut and bottom of the fuselage. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the accident site at the request of the Safety Board stated that the power lines were about 30 feet agl, and that they were marked with orange balls. Winds at nearby Lancaster Fox Field at the time of the accident were 230 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 22 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8768D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8768D-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 22-5955, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-5955 - Airframe hours: 3042 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Milton Critchlow - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1999, 48 hours before - Departed: L94, TEHACHAPI, CA - Destination: 1CL1, CA - Airport: ICL1, Little Butte Antique, runway 24, 2,900 × 100 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 878 total, 454 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 13 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 199 °F, dew point 109 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: WJF, 6 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 20000715008359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000715008359A), Jul 15, 2000: Piper PA22160, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) A/c on final aopproach for landing, form east to west on dirt runway. East end of runway landing approach has power lines, located on 80th street west,… 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.