# NTSB LAX00TA125: Piper PA-18-150, N82751, Rio Vista, CA, March 13, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report - Date: March 13, 2000, 14:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Rio Vista, CA - Coordinates: 38.179084, -121.730384 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1791&lon=-121.7304&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48808 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00TA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48808/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00TA125 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. A factor was glare from the sun. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,transmission - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot had been maneuvering low level in an area of wind generators and power lines for 30 minutes. He started a slow right climbing turn toward a new work area, which was to the right front of the airplane. The sun was behind a cloud and he could see power lines and wind generators in the new work area. Moments later the sun came from behind the cloud and temporarily blinded him. At that instant his rear seat observer told him to 'look out.' He was flying up a draw and noted wires angling across his flight path. He maneuvered to avoid them, but contacted the last wire with his right main gear. The airplane fell to the ground when the wire snapped. ## Factual narrative On March 13, 2000, about 1410 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N82751, sustained substantial damage when it collided with wires near Rio Vista, California. The United States Department of Agriculture owned and operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries and his observer sustained minor injuries. The public-use pest control flight departed Rio Vista for a local flight about 1330. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed. The pilot stated he had been maneuvering low level in an area of wind generators and power lines for 30 minutes. His ground crew instructed him to work a new area southwest of his current location. He started a slow right climbing turn in that direction, which was to the right front of the airplane. The sun was behind a cloud and he could see power lines and wind generators in his new work area. Moments later the sun came from behind the cloud and temporarily blinded him. At that instant his rear seat observer told him to "look out." He was flying up a draw and noted wires angling across his flight path. He maneuvered to avoid them, but contacted the last wire with his right main gear. When the wire snapped, the airplane fell to the ground on its right side. The pilot had the observer reach to the panel over the pilot's head and turn the master switch and generator switches to the off position. The observer assisted the pilot from the airplane. The pilot suffered a broken right collarbone, neck and back injuries, and lacerations on both legs. They contacted rescue personnel with their cell phone. Following the accident, the operator initiated a review of its pilot training program. Revisions to be explored include requiring a high altitude reconnaissance of work areas with numerous obstacles, and establishing a route of flight prior to entering those areas. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82751](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82751), registered now, S/N 18-7709194, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-7709194 - Airframe hours: 2582 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Registered owner: US Department Of Agriculture - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 2000, 64 hours before - Departed: 088 - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,044 total, 7,016 in this make and model, 6,900 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SUU, 13 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 20000313009479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000313009479A), Mar 13, 2000: Piper PA18150, Rio Vista, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Om March 13, 2000, mr andy williams was a PIC for Piper 18-150, N82751, which collided with wires near Rio Vista, CA. Mr. Williams was operating the a/c… 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.