# NTSB WPR21LA016: Aviat A1, N9600J, Moses Lake, WA, October 18, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 18, 2020, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Moses Lake, WA · 

- Coordinates: 47.142004, -119.23788 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1420&lon=-119.2379&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102167/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102167
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA016

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from telephone wires while on final approach for landing which resulted in a collision.

## 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: [Christen Industries A-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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: [Christen Industries A-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=221020X), [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 · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=221020X), [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.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while on final approach for landing, the airplane struck telephone wires. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to the ground and shortly after touchdown, the airplane nosed over. The right-wing lift strut and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9600J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9600J), registered now, S/N 1118, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAT A1 (A)
- Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (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: 1118
- Year built: 1989
- Engines: Lycoming reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael G Harris
- Airworthiness certificate: Unknown
- Airport: W20, Moses Lake Municipal Airport, runway 16, 2,513 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: KMWH, 5 nm away
- METAR: KMWH 182052Z 00000KT 10SM BKN070 16/05 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP139 T01610050 56004

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102167. 309 KB in all.

- Record of conversation - pilot (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11649314&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RECORD%20OF%20CONVERSATION%20016-Rel.pdf
- Accident photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11649508&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20016-Rel.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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