Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB CEN17FA169
CHAMPION 7KCAB — Collinston, LA
| Date | April 30, 2017 |
| Location | Collinston, LA |
| Aircraft | CHAMPION 7KCAB |
| Purpose of flight | Instructional |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 22 |
| Pilot total time | 650 hrs · Building experience |
| Time in type | 15 hrs |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
The failure of the flight instructor and the commercial pilot to maintain adequate clearance from a power line during an aerial application training flight.
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Identification/recognition-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Identification/recognition-Instructor/check pilot - C
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Effect on operation - C
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Awareness of condition - C
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
What happened
The flight instructor and the commercial pilot receiving instruction were conducting an aerial application training flight. After flying over a field, the airplane descended to low altitude and flew a practice spray pass from south to north. The field was not a designated practice area for the flight school and was adjacent to a prison. At the end of the field, the airplane pitched up, collided with a power line, and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.