# NTSB SEA94LA145: Mooney M20C, N711LP, Wamsutter, WY, June 9, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1994, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Wamsutter, WY
- Coordinates: 41.660194, -107.970237 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6602&lon=-107.9702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA145

## Probable cause

CLEARANCE NOT MAINTAINED.  A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: TRANSMISSION WIRE.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE CRUISING AT 200 TO 300 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL AND FOLLOWING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, HE NOTED A FLOCK OF BIRDS IN HIS PATH.  THE PILOT DESCENDED IN ALTITUDE AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TWO TRANSMISSION WIRES THAT WERE APPROXIMATELY 23 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.

## Factual narrative

On June 9, 1994, at 0830 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N711LP, collided with transmission lines near Wamsutter, Wyoming.  The pilot returned to Rawlins, Wyoming, and landed without further incident.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot was not injured.  The flight had departed from Rawlins and was en route to Rock Springs, Wyoming.

The pilot reported that while cruising at 200 to 300 feet above ground level and following an interstate highway, he noted a flock of birds in his path.  The pilot descended in altitude and the airplane collided with two transmission wires that were approximately 23 feet above ground level.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N711LP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N711LP), registered now, S/N 2872, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C
- Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (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: 2872
- Airframe hours: 4138
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howard, Don M.
- Registered owner: Don M. Howard,
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1993, 15 hours before
- Departed: RWL, RAWLINS, WY
- Destination: RKS, ROCK SPRINGS, WY
- Airport: RWL, Rawlins

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWL, 36 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 19940609014669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940609014669A), Jun 9, 1994: Mooney M20C, Rawlings, WY, Substantial damage. Following highway. Descended to avoid flock of birds. Struck powerline 23FT AGL.

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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