# NTSB NYC05CA016: Syreini Hipps J3 Kitten, Delaware, OH, November 14, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 14, 2004, 16:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Delaware, OH
- Coordinates: 40.245834, -82.974998
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2458&lon=-82.9750&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Columbus
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60561
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05CA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60561/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA016

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude, which resulted in an in-flight collision with wires.

## 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 - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was in cruise flight, when he elected to descend and fly over a reservoir.  During the descent, the airplane struck unmarked power lines, that stretched about 60 to 80 feet, over the water.  The airplane then descended vertically, and impacted the water.

## Factual narrative

On November 14, 2004, about 1605 eastern standard time, a homebuilt unregistered Hipps J3 Kitten, was substantially damaged, when it struck wires and impacted water while maneuvering near Delaware, Ohio.  The certificated commercial pilot was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that he was in cruise flight, when he observed the north end of the Alum Creek Reservoir.  He then elected to descend and fly over the water.  During the descent, the airplane struck unmarked power lines, that stretched about 60 to 80 feet, over the water.  The pilot added "I saw the wires only an instant before I hit them."

After striking the wires, the airplane descended vertically, and impacted the water.

The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Syreini Hipps J3 Kitten
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: Unknown
- Engines: Rotax 503 DCDI 46 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark B. Murphy
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: NONE, Mt. Gilead, OH
- Airport: NONE, None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 29, 2004; seat: center; flight hours: 843 total, 0 in this make and model, 817 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.69 inHg
- Observed at: CMH, 17 nm away

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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