# NTSB LAX89LA087: Cessna T207A, N6347H, Page, AZ, January 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1989, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Page, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.680683, -111.410346 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6807&lon=-111.4103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26323/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA087

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT (FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION).  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE BIRDS, THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE MANEUVER, AND THE TRANSMISSION LINE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - bird(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A CARGO FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS FLYING THE AIRPLANE AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL UNDER AN OVERCAST LAYER. A FLOCK OF BIRDS FLEW INTO THE AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT PATH AND THE PILOT TOOK EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID A COLLISION. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO RESUME NORMAL FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE VERTICAL STABILIZER COLLIDED WITH A TRANSMISSION WIRE THAT WAS STRETCHED ACROSS A SHALLOW CANYON. THE AIRPLANE YAWED VIOLENTLY, BUT THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND LAND AT A NEARBY AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6347H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T207A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20700488
- Airframe hours: 1999
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-M 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Courier Services Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 1989, 33 hours before
- Departed: TBC, TUBA CITY, AZ
- Destination: PGA, PAGE, AZ
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,782 total, 226 in this make and model, 1,624 as pilot in command, 266 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast

## 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 19890117001739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890117001739A), Jan 17, 1989: Cessna T207A, Page, AZ, Substantial damage. Struck wires stretched across a canyon while flying low under a overcast. Remained airborne. Landed at an airport.

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.

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