# NTSB WPR13CA121: Piper PA-28-140, N6726J, Sunnyside, WA, February 9, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 9, 2013, 12:38 local (20:38 UTC) - Place: Sunnyside, WA - Coordinates: 46.326946, -119.970275 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3269&lon=-119.9703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86177/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86177 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA121 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate vigilance while maneuvering at low altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7102802), [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. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Neither the pilot nor the pilot-rated passenger provided written statements about the circumstances of the accident. Witnesses reported that the airplane was maneuvering over a freeway when it struck a series of power lines (about 45 feet above ground level) and subsequently impacted terrain. One witness reported that the airplane was maneuvering “extremely low” to the ground and appeared to be doing several low turns and dives. The witness stated that, the airplane was so low, he could see the passenger’s face through the right front window. The wings, empennage, and fuselage were substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative Neither the pilot nor the pilot rated passenger has provided written statements as to the circumstances of the accident. Witnesses in the local area of the accident reported that the airplane was maneuvering over a freeway when it struck a series of power lines (approximately 45 feet above ground level) and subsequently impacted terrain. One witness reported that the airplane was maneuvering “extremely low” to the ground and appeared to do several low turns and dives. The witness stated the airplane was so low, he could see the passenger’s face through the right front window. The wings, empennage and fuselage were substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6726J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6726J-2013-07-10), registration cancelled 2013-07-10, S/N 28-24434, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-24434 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Gilman - Registered owner: John Gilman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 1S5, Sunnyside, WA - Destination: Sunnyside, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2 ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: YKM ## 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 20130209001219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130209001219A), Feb 9, 2013: Piper PA-28-140, Sunnyside, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was flying eastbound low over the I-82 freeway and struck a power line. Aircraft continued to fly, with an emergency landing to the north in a nearby… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86177. 179 KB in all. - Witness Statement (item 1, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389157&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies-Redacted.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.