# NTSB WPR11CA399: Richmond Jim R CCK-1865, N56WY, Dubois, WY, August 12, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 12, 2011, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Dubois, WY - Coordinates: 43.548332, -109.690002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5483&lon=-109.6900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81569 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA399 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81569/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81569 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA399 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire during cruise flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Richmond Jim R CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05629S1), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Richmond Jim R CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=05629S1), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Richmond Jim R CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05629S1), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Richmond Jim R CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05629S1), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Richmond Jim R CCK-1865, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05629S1), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the daytime in visual meteorological conditions, he was in cruise flight at an altitude of about 300 feet above ground level when he heard a loud bang followed by a shudder in the airplane. The pilot said he gained altitude and noticed damage to a radio antenna and noted that the controls felt "mushy," but the airplane remained flyable. The pilot then diverted to the nearest airport, landed, and observed structural damage to the left wing and rudder. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed evidence of wire striations on the left wing and rudder. Damage to the left wing, which included multiple separated vortex generators and paint scuffing on the top area of the outboard left wing, was consistent with an in-flight collision with a radio antenna wire. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a daytime flight within visual meteorological conditions, he was in cruise flight at an altitude of about 300 feet above ground level when he heard a loud bang followed by a shudder in the airplane. The pilot said he gained altitude and noticed damage to a radio antenna and noted the controls felt "mushy," but the airplane remained flyable. The pilot then diverted to the nearest airport and landed uneventfully, where he observed structural damage to the left wing and rudder. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed evidence of wire striations on the left wing and rudder. Damage to the left wing, which included multiple separated vortex generators and paint scuffing on the top area of the outboard left wing, was found consistent with an in-flight collision with a wire. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56WY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56WY), registered now, S/N CCK-1865-0007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RICHMOND JIM R CCK-1865 - Registry model: [Richmond Jim R CCK-1865](https://openairdocs.org/model/richmond-jim-r-cck-1865) (registry code 05629S1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CCK-1865-0007 - Airframe hours: 375 - Engines: CubCrafters CC340 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Neil Neumeyer - Registered owner: Solstice Properties LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 2011 - Departed: Dillon, MT - Destination: U25, Dubois, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 16; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 96 total, 96 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: RXE, 26 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 20110812017889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110812017889A), Aug 12, 2011: Richmond Jim R CCK-1865, Dubois, ID, Substantial damage. Departed dln enroute to U25 at 0600, about 1.5 hours into flight heard a bang and felt a change to a/c. landed at closest airport U41 controls felt mushy… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81569. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354185&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354186&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo 1: View of the left wing. (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 767 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354187&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20the%20left%20wing.%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.