# NTSB WPR15CA107: Piper PA28 - 180, N7928W, Garfield, WA, February 15, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 15, 2015, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Garfield, WA
- Coordinates: 47.226112, -117.621391 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2261&lon=-117.6214&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15CA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90749/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90749
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA107

## Probable cause

The pilot did not maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering at a low altitude.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7102808), [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-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while conducting a low-level sightseeing flight, he inadvertently collided with an unmarked power line with the airplane's left wing. The pilot subsequently made a precautionary landing in a field without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while conducting a low-level sightseeing flight, he inadvertently collided with an unmarked power line with the airplane's left wing. The pilot subsequently made a precautionary landing in a field without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7928W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7928W-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 28-1969, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 - 180 (180)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1969
- Year built: 1964
- Airframe hours: 4830
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 2014, 3 hours before
- Departed: Garfield, WA
- Destination: Garfield, WA
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 17, 2013; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 510 total, 100 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observed at: GEG, 30 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 20150215001679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150215001679A), Feb 15, 2015: Piper PA-28-180, St. John, WA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he flew over the canyon at 800 ft. AGL heading north. He then flew a low pass (approximately 120 ft AGL) from north to south in order to view…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90749. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424345&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.

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