# NTSB SEA97LA047: Barriger RV-6, N812AB, The Dalles, OR, January 9, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1997, 16:10 local (Jan 9, 1997, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: The Dalles, OR
- Coordinates: 45.539653, -121.14936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5397&lon=-121.1494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA047

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a powerline during an intentional low altitude maneuver.

## Analysis

The pilot circled over an airstrip owned by his employer.  When the people he worked with came out of the hanger, the pilot made a low circling pass and hit a powerline.

## Factual narrative

On January 8, 1997, at 1610 Pacific standard time, a homebuilt aircraft, a Barrigar RV-6, N812AB, collided with power lines while making a low pass over an airstrip.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight.  The purpose of the flight was to check the accuracy of instruments in the aircraft against test instruments.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.

The pilot reported that he circled over the Shearers airstrip, which is owned by the company he worked for.  When the people he worked for came out of the hanger, he made a low circling pass and contacted the top wire of a powerline.

## 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
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N812AB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N812AB), registered now, S/N 23759, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Barriger RV-6
- Registry model: [Barrigar AL RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/barrigar-al-rv-6) (registry code 05628BW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-D1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-d1a) (registry code 42145, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 23759
- Airframe hours: 8
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alan R. Barrigar
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1996, 8 hours before
- Departed: KDLS, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,100 total, 10 in this make and model, 12,985 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °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 19970109000249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970109000249A), Jan 9, 1997: Amtr RV6, The Dalles, OR, Substantial damage. Struck powr line making low pass over company airport.y

## Other investigations on N812AB (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA97LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA213), Sep 21, 1997: Barrigar RV-6 (N812AB), Goldendale, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors contributing to the accident were: the pilot's delayed initiation of a go-around maneuver, downhill, and soft terrain.

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.