SCODA AERONAUTICA LTDA SUPER PETREL LS — Hickory, NC, 2023

SCODA AERONAUTICA LTDA SUPER PETREL LS — Hickory, NC

2 fatal High-time pilotLow altitude

Date	August 13, 2023
Location	Hickory, NC
Aircraft	SCODA AERONAUTICA LTDA SUPER PETREL LS
Purpose of flight	Personal
Conditions	Day · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrence	Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event
Pilot age	63
Pilot total time	3,100 hrs · High time
Time in type	8 hrs
Fatalities	2

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at a low altitude over water, which resulted in a collision and loss of control.

NTSB findings

Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Identification/recognition-Pilot
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Pilot
Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Ability to respond/compensate
Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Effect on equipment

What happened

The private pilot/owner and the student pilot/passenger departed in the amphibious airplane and flew to a local lake where they were observed conducting a touch-and-go landing and flying low over the water. One witness, who was on his boat dock about 100 yards from a set of energized powerlines that spanned the lake, reported that the airplane was flying level about 100 to 200 ft above the water toward the powerlines. As the airplane approached the powerlines, it appeared to take a sudden nose-down attitude before it impacted the powerlines. There was a large explosion and the airplane impacted the water. The collision also resulted in a electrical power outage to the surrounding community. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed impact signatures consistent with impact with the powerlines and no evidence of any mechanical deficiencies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the witness’ observations, the pilot likely observed the powerlines and attempted to maneuver underneath them. The airplane then struck the powerlines, lost control, and impacted the lake.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.