WPR11LA137

The pilot reported that while flying in a valley at an altitude between 200 to 300 feet above ground level (agl), he obtained visual contact with a set of high tension power lines that were perpendicular to his location. He determined that the airplane was at a high enough altitude to maintain clearance from the wires and initiated a slight climb to gain extra clearance. Shortly thereafter, the airplane struck the high tension power lines and subsequently impacted a snow covered field, which resulted in structural damage to the airframe. Recorded data retrieved from a handheld GPS (global positioning system) revealed that during the last eight minutes of the accident flight, the altitude of the airplane varied between 18 and 384 feet agl. The last recorded data point prior to the power lines showed the airplane at an altitude of about 137 feet agl. Representatives from the electrical company reported that the airplane struck one of the three static wires that were dull gray in color, located about 81 feet above the ground. The representative stated that the static wires were about 26 feet above a set of three main transmission lines that are shiny in color. The representative added that company employees reported that they had difficulty seeing the top static wires in lighting conditions similar to the day of the accident.

On February 14, 2011, about 0955 mountain standard time, a American Champion Aircraft 8GCBC, N885AC, sustained substantial damage when it struck power lines while maneuvering southeast of Soda Springs, Idaho. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot-rated passenger under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certificated airline transport pilot, who was seated in the front seat and certificated private pilot passenger/owner, who was seated in the rear seat sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The local flight originated from Afton, Wyoming, about 26 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone conversation with the Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that the night prior to the accident, the owner of the airplane had asked him if he would like to go flying and act as a safety pilot so he could gain more experience flying the airplane from the rear seat. The pilot further reported that on the day of the accident they had departed Afton with the intention of him flying around the area for a while prior to the owner conducting practice takeoff and landings from the rear seat. The flight proceeded around the local area so the pilot could get a feel for the airplane prior to the owner flying. The pilot said that he had completed a series of stalls and steep turns before flying over a mountain range west of Afton that the owner was familiar with. Upon crossing the mountain range, the pilot flew along a ridge line to observe the current wind conditions before proceeding into an open valley area at an altitude that varied from 200 to 500 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot stated that upon entering the valley, he was traveling on a southerly heading when he obtained visual contact with a set of high tension power lines, spanning east to west. The pilot said he felt that he had enough altitude to maintain clearance from them and began a "lazy climb" to make sure that he had enough clearance. As the airplane approached the power lines, the owner of the airplane verified that the pilot had the power lines in sight. The pilot acknowledged and thought he still had enough altitude to maintain clearance. Shortly thereafter, the airplane struck the high tension power lines and subsequently impacted a snow covered field. In a written statement, the owner of the airplane reported to the IIC that the intention of the flight was to fly around the area and enjoy the perfect day. The owner stated that after departure, the pilot flying asked if he could perform some stalls to become familiar with the airplane. The owner said that following the completion of the stalls, the flight proceeded north a few more miles before turning south, where "…we flew low across the terrain enjoying the ride." The owner further stated that he was comfortable with the pilot's handling of the airplane and that whilefollowing the Idaho-Wyoming border, he pointed out high tension power lines that were within their flight path. The owner said that he suggested to the pilot making a turn to the east towards their departure airport or to climb above the power lines if the pilot wanted to continue flying south. The owner reported that the pilot replied that, "I could just go under them" and the owner told the pilot "…absolutely not." The owner further reported that the pilot initiated a climb "…to an altitude that appeared from my vantage point to clear the lines safely." Examination of the airplane by first responders revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted in a deep snow-covered field about 200 feet south of the high tension power lines. The left wing was mostly separated from the fuselage. A portion of the left wing was located directly under the power lines. Information obtained from a representative from Lower Valley Energy revealed that the airplane struck one of the three static wires that are a dull gray in color, located about 81 feet above the ground. The representative stated that the static wires were about 26 feet above a set of three main transmission lines that are shiny in color. The representative reported that when Lower Valley Energy employees were on-scene, the static wires were "…very difficult to see in the lighting conditions that were similar to the day of the crash." The owner of the airplane provided the Safety Board IIC with a Garmin GPSmap 496 unit that was installed in the airplane at the time of the accident. Recorded data for the accident flight was downloaded from the handheld GPS unit. The downloaded data showed that the flight departed Afton and turned to the south prior to turning to a northerly heading. The data further showed that while the flight was on a northerly course, two 360-degree turns were performed. The flight continued on a northerly heading until turning to the northwest over a mountain range west of Afton. The data depicted that as the airplane crossed the mountain range, a descent was initiated and the flight turned to a southerly course and entered a valley on the western side of the mountain range. The recorded GPS altitude data showed that throughout the last 8 minutes of the accident flight, the recorded GPS altitude varied between 6,340 feet and 8,101 feet. Each altitude plot was compared with terrain elevation for that specific area. The comparison revealed that the airplane's elevation throughout the last 8 minutes of the flight varied between 18 and 384 feet. The last recorded data plot on the northern side of the power lines was 300 feet north at an altitude of 6,885 feet. The terrain elevation in the area of the plot was 6,748 feet.