# NTSB SEA96LA216: Piper PA-18, N8789C, Gillette, WY, September 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 1996, 09:56 local (15:56 UTC) - Place: Gillette, WY - Coordinates: 44.459873, -105.700828 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4599&lon=-105.7008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42465 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42465/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA216 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to see-and-avoid the obstruction (power line). The powerline was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The flight was part of a predator reduction program. The surviving passenger said that they were trying to keep up with a fox that they had seen earlier, when the airplane hit a power line and crashed. The power line was about 40 feet above the terrain. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 1996, about 0956 Mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N8789C operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 business flight, was substantially damaged when it hit power lines and then terrain while maneuvering about 11 miles south of Gillette, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot was fatally injured and the passenger received serious injuries. The flight had departed Gillette about 0730 that morning. The flight was part of a predator reduction program. The pilot was in the front seat and a hunter was in the rear seat of the airplane. FAA inspectors documented the scene of the accident. The wreckage was about 60 feet south of a broken power line that was about 40 feet high. The power line ran east and west. The local power company reported that there was a power interruption about 0956. The passenger told FAA inspectors that the pilot was trying to keep up with a fox they had earlier spotted. The passenger reached down to pick up the shotgun, and when he looked up again, the airplane was into the power lines. The passenger got out of the airplane and walked to a ranch house for help. An autopsy was performed on the pilot by Campbell County Coroner. Cause of death was listed as a cervical spine fracture. Toxicological tests performed by the FAA had negative results for carbon monoxide, drugs and alcohol. No pilot or aircraft records were located. Pilot times in this report are based on FAA medical records. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8789C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8789C), registered now, S/N 18-2885, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2885 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Maher, Robert W. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GCC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,400 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KGC, 11 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 19960919028699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960919028699A), Sep 19, 1996: Piper PA18135, Gillette, WY, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Predator hunting flight. Hit powerline and ground. Chasing a fox. Got too low. Probable never saw powerline. 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.