# NTSB WPR25LA021: Piper PA-11, N4846M, Rexburg, ID, October 19, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 19, 2024, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Rexburg, ID - Coordinates: 43.833917, -111.80511 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8339&lon=-111.8051&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 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): 195358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195358/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195358 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA021 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid transmission wires during the landing approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was in a pumpkin drop competition that was being held on a farm field with a new landing strip. The prevailing winds necessitated that the airplanes fly over transmission wires prior to landing. The pilot stated that he dropped his pumpkins, but missed the target by a long distance. During his landing, he flew over one set of power lines and reduced power to descend and land. The airplane inadvertently struck a second, parallel set of wires that he had not seen. The pilot stated that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot was hospitalized for 12 weeks following the accident. ## 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 with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4846M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4846M), registered now, S/N 11-376 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11 - Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11-376 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 1350 - Engines: Continental C90-8 90 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Air drop, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 2024 - Departed: RXE, Rexburg, ID - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: RXE, Rexburg-Madison County - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 10,800 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KRXE - METAR: KRXE 241753Z AUTO 06004KT 10SM CLR 17/03 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP182 T01720028 10172 20039 58008 ## 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 20241019019619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241019019619A), Oct 19, 2024: Piper PA-11, Rexburg, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot was descending for landing at a local aviation event and failed to clear powerlines at the edge of a field. As a result of hitting the power lines the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 11, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195358. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19001496&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18988947&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z%20-%20Attachment%2003%20-%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Rel.pdf - Photographs (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19007183&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z-%20Attachment%2002%20-Photos-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. --- 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.