LAX06LA058

The airplane collided with a high tension static line associated with a high voltage transmission tower during a low altitude cruise flight at dusk and descended uncontrolled to the ground. A certified flight instructor who witnessed the accident noted the light blue colored airplane about 200 feet above ground level and traveling at a high groundspeed, prior to it impacting power lines. Prior to the line impact, the airplane did not appear to be increasing or decreasing in altitude and was traveling from east to west. Recorded radar data was used to establish a track on the airplane. The mode C altitude reports showed the airplane at 200 to 300 feet above ground level for an extended period. Due to the low altitude of the flight, the radar coverage was intermittent and ended 13 minutes prior to the accident site. Post accident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions to preclude normal operation of the airplane. The airplane was flying east-to-west toward the setting sun at the time of the accident.

History of flight

On December 14, 2005, at 1652 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 177RG (Cardinal), N8040G, collided with a high tension static line associated with a high voltage transmission tower in flight and impacted the ground at Dixon, California. The pilot, who was also the registered owner of the airplane, was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant onboard, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed. The pilot departed from the Calaveras County-Maury Rasmussen Field, San Andreas, California, about 1630, and was destined for Charles M. Schultz- Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

At 1652:33, the Northern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (Nor Cal TRACON) received a report of a downed airplane from a certified flight instructor (CFI) and student flying in a Cessna 152. The CFI was interviewed the evening of the accident by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator and reported that he and his student were returning to Sacramento after a dual instructional flight. The student reported traffic and the CFI noted that the accident airplane was lower and would not be a factor. The light blue colored airplane appeared to be about 200 feet above ground level (agl) and was traveling at a high groundspeed. The CFI then noticed a flash or spark and saw the airplane impact transmission lines, followed immediately thereafter by the airplane's impact with the ground and post impact fire. Prior to the transmission line impact, the airplane did not appear to be increasing or decreasing in altitude and was traveling from east-to-west. The CFI did not see anything to indicate that the pilot was having a problem.

Another witness, who was a former air traffic controller, saw a blue and white airplane fly over him while he was riding his horse in an arena. The airplane was a high-wing and the landing gear was retracted. The airplane was flying straight and level from east to west, and there were no unusual sounds coming from the airplane. The witness thought that it was strange that the pilot would be flying the airplane so low. The airplane was just at tree level, which was about 80 feet above ground level. Approximately 20 minutes had passed from the time the witness saw the airplane until the news broadcast came out about the airplane accident. The witness lives in Galt, which is about 25 nautical miles southeast of the accident site.

A family member stated that the pilot had flown a corporate flight earlier that day and was on the return leg after dropping off his copilot at San Andreas. Normally the pilot would fly global positioning system (GPS) direct, and that he would usually fly the route at 2,500 or 4,500 feet mean sea level. At times, the pilot would fly low-level when looking at things on the ground.

The accident pilot's copilot said that the flight to San Andreas was uneventful. She flew the airplane and did not experience any control or mechanical problems with the airplane. The accident pilot was in good spirits.

Radar information

The Nor Cal TRACON facility supplied radar data and one track was identified that was consistent with the route and time of the accident flight. The data was provided to the Cessna Aircraft Company representative where it was plotted on a topographic map and on a graph. The target was squawking 1200.

The first hit on the target was at 1629:44, at an altitude of 1,900 feet, traveling westbound from Calaveras County-Maury Rasmussen Field. The highest altitude recorded was at 1630:30, and indicated 2,200 feet. From this time, the target gradually decreased in altitude to 500 feet at 1636:58. Following this hit, no target was recorded until 1638:29, at an altitude of 400 feet. The last target was at 1639:57, and no altitude was recorded. During the last minute of the track, the target indicated between 400 and 500 feet.

Personnel information

The pilot was a retired airline captain and was employed as a corporate pilot for a local company at the time of the accident. A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records showed that the pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate for single and multiengine land airplanes. He held commercial privileges for airplane single engine sea. He also held a current certified flight instructor certificate for single and multiengine airplanes and instrument airplane. In addition, the pilot held a ground instructor certificate, authorized to teach advanced and instrument ground instruction, and a flight engineer certificate for turbojet and turbo propeller. The pilot was issued a first-class medical certificate in December 2004, which held the restriction that the pilot must wear corrective lenses.

According to a family member, the pilot was in good health and did not have any medical problems. He did not keep a personal flight logbook. On the pilot's most recent medical application, he reported a total flight time of 23,000 flight hours.

Aircraft information

The Cessna 177RG single engine airplane was manufactured in 1971. It was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360-A1B6. The last annual inspection was completed on November 21, 2005, at a total tachometer time of 2,772.0 hours. The airplane had accumulated 212 hours since its last annual. The last altimeter, static system, altitude reporting tests, and transponder tests were completed on August 13, 2004.

Meteorological information

An automated surface observation system (ASOS) report was issued for Nut Tree Airport, Vacaville, California, at 1653, and reported the following conditions: wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 50 degrees Fahrenheit; dewpoint 30 degrees Fahrenheit; and altimeter 30.13 inches of Mercury. Nut Tree Airport is located about 10 nautical miles southwest of the accident site location.

According to the United States Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department, sunset took place at 1647. The end of civil twilight occurred at 1717. At 1640, the altitude and azimuth of the sun were 0.8 degrees and 239.3 degrees, respectively. At 1650, the sun was -1.3 degrees below the horizon on an azimuth of 240.9 degrees.

Wreckage and impact information

Solano County Sheriff's department personnel responded to the accident site. The on scene deputy reported that the transmission lines were east of and approximately 1/4-mile from the main wreckage, which impacted an agricultural field. The right wing was intact; the left wing was in various pieces within the debris path between the transmission lines and the main wreckage. Forward of the main wreckage, aeronautical charts and pieces of cockpit instrumentation spanned outward an additional 20 feet. The main wreckage came to rest inverted. The majority of the airplane fuselage structure was consumed in a post impact fire. Inspectors from the FAA Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site the following morning.

On scene responders from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG and E) reported that the airplane collided with a static line. The static line is positioned at the top of the 500 kilovolt transmission lines and acts both as a lightening deterrent and static electricity gatherer from the transmission lines. The static line was strung between the towers about 140 feet agl. As the static line was struck, it dropped over one of the transmission lines and resulted in a fault. PG and E records showed that the fault occurred at 1652.

Medical and pathological information

The Solano County Coroner completed an autopsy on the pilot. The cause of death was attributed to multiple blunt force injuries due to a general aviation aircraft crash. The FAA Forensic Toxicology Research Team completed toxicology. The results were