# NTSB SEA08CA081: Steven Hardie AIR CAM, N30581, Duncan Mills, CA, February 16, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 15, 2008, 16:30 local (Feb 16, 2008, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Duncan Mills, CA - Coordinates: 38.457221, -123.051666 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4572&lon=-123.0517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67549 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67549/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA081 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing factors included the pilot's decision to fly at low altitude and the sun glare condition. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Hardie Steven AIR CAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=05614L9), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Hardie Steven AIR CAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05614L9), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hardie Steven AIR CAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05614L9), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hardie Steven AIR CAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05614L9), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hardie Steven AIR CAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=05614L9), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Hardie Steven AIR CAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05614L9), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was flying at a low altitude over a river into hazy conditions and looking directly into the setting sun. The pilot stated that as he was preparing to turn to miss a flock of birds the airplane impacted a set of transmission wires, which severed the airframe's wing support structures. The impact with the wires forced the airplane to a lower altitude and under a bridge in the airplane's flight path. After flying under the bridge and exiting on the opposite side, the airplane impacted a second set of transmission wires with the airplane's landing gear legs. The pilot then made a successful forced landing on a river gravel bar and came to rest upright. A witness, who was camping nearby, observed the airplane flying about 20 to 40 feet above the river before going out of sight. The witness reported, "Approximately 5 seconds later I heard a 'large impact,' followed by an electrical discharge sound and the power going out at the campground." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was flying at a low altitude over a river into hazy conditions and looking directly into the setting sun. The pilot stated that as he was preparing to divert to miss a flock of birds the airplane impacted a set of transmission wires, which struck and severed the airframe's wing support structures. The impact with the wires forced the airplane to a lower altitude and under a bridge in the airplane's flight path. After flying under the bridge and exiting on the opposite side, the airplane impacted a second set of transmission wires with the airplane's landing gear legs. The pilot stated that he then elected to make a forced landing on a river gravel bar; the airplane landed without incident and came to rest upright. A witness, who was camping nearby, observed the airplane flying about 20 to 40 feet above the river before going out of sight. The witness reported, "Approximately 5 seconds later I heard a 'large impact,' followed by an electrical discharge sound and the power going out at the campground." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30581](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30581), registered now, S/N AC0096, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Steven Hardie AIR CAM - Registry model: [Hardie Steven AIR CAM](https://openairdocs.org/model/hardie-steven-air-cam) (registry code 05614L9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AC0096 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS reciprocating; Rotax 912 ULS reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joseph M Perez - Registered owner: Steven L. Hardie - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: STS, Santa Rosa, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,774 total, 84 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F ## 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 20080215010139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080215010139A), Feb 15, 2008: Amtr AIRCAM, Duncans Mills, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft enroute westbound along russian river towards casini ranch, late in the afternoon, during hazy conditions. Large flock of birds flew in front of… 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.