# NTSB LAX06LA147: Christen Industries A-1, N96088, Creston, CA, April 23, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 23, 2006, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Creston, CA - Coordinates: 35.503612, -120.46611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5036&lon=-120.4661&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 63560 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63560/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA147 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstacles while intentionally flying at a low altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,static - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot flew to an area where friends were setting up a motorbike course. The pilot said he intended to perform low altitude aerial reconnaissance over the area. While maneuvering, the pilot failed to observe a power line that was between 35 and 38 feet above ground level. The airplane collided with the line and then lost engine power. The pilot made a forced landing in an adjacent rough open field and during rollout the airplane was substantially damaged. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On April 23, 2006, about 1245 Pacific daylight time, a Christen Industries, Inc., A-1, N96088, collided with power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude near Creston, California. Thereafter, the pilot flying the impact-damaged airplane made a forced landing in a rough open field, adjacent to a road. The right main landing gear separated from the airframe, right wing structure was deformed, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the commercial pilot nor passenger was injured during the personal flight. The pilot had borrowed the airplane from a private individual, who was the airplane's registered owner. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from San Luis Obispo, California, about 1210. The pilot verbally reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the engine started running slightly rough while he was cruising about 500 feet over the ground. The pilot reacted to the situation by performing a precautionary landing in an open field. During the approach, he did not observe that power lines obstructed the airplane's flight path. The pilot subsequently provided a written statement to the Safety Board investigator in which he further described facts related to the accident flight. In pertinent part, the pilot indicated that during the flight he had been performing "aerial reconnaissance over the land and was not near any people or structures during the portion of...flight that was at approximately 500 feet above ground level." Less than a mile from the site of the crash, the airplane's engine began running rough and he was unable to maintain altitude. After checking the magnetos, fuel and carburetor, the pilot proceeded toward the most suitable landing area and established a shallow rate of descent with 30 degrees of flaps. The pilot further reported that he used the power available to land the airplane as slow as possible. Approximately 50 feet above the ground, the airplane collided with power lines that, according to the pilot, he had "overlooked." The pilot did not indicate that prior to the mishap he had experienced any mechanical malfunction with the airplane. In an incident report completed by the San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Office, responding officers interviewed the pilot. The report indicates the pilot acknowledged that after takeoff he flew directly toward the vicinity where the accident occurred "because he had friends that were setting up a dual sport motorbike course (in the area)." The passenger in the airplane was also interviewed by the officers. She twice reported to the officers that the engine problem began "after the pilot hit a power line...not prior to [hitting it]." A representative from Pacific Gas and Electric Company stated to Safety Board investigators that the impacted power line was 35 to 38 feet above ground level. Another representative stated the power line was 100 yards from where the airplane came to rest in the field. Under the direction of the Safety Board investigator, two Federal Aviation Administration certified mechanics, holding inspection authorization, examined the airplane. They reported finding no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction with the airframe or engine, and no contaminants were found in the oil or fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96088](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96088), registered now, S/N 1151, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Christen Industries, Inc. A-1 - Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1151 - Airframe hours: 930 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-L1G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jason J. Diestel - Registered owner: Timothy J. Diestel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2005, 81 hours before - Departed: SBP, San Luis Obispo, CA - Destination: SBP, Creston, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 750 total, 250 in this make and model, 661 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: PRB, 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 20060423008169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060423008169A), Apr 23, 2006: Chris A1, Creston, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he was cruising at approx. 500'AGL when he struck a power line. The engine began to run rough which then resulted in an unscheduled off… 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.