VFR into IMC · NTSB LAX08LA154
MAULE MX-7-235 — Boulder, MT
| Date | May 23, 2008 |
| Location | Boulder, MT |
| Aircraft | MAULE MX-7-235 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Instrument Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Enroute Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 70 |
| Pilot total time | 20,000 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | 1,000 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1, 1 serious |
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to continue flight at low altitude in instrument weather conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from a power line. Contributing to the accident were low cloud and visibility conditions.
NTSB findings
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Below VFR minima-Decision related to condition - C
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Response/compensation - C
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Low ceiling-Not specified - F
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Low visibility-Not specified - F
What happened
The pilot received a weather briefing prior to departing on a cross-country personal flight. The weather briefer informed the pilot that a visual flight rules flight was not recommended along his intended route due to low ceilings, limited visibilities, and precipitation. While following an interstate highway at low altitude, the airplane collided with high-tension power lines that crossed the interstate, and came to rest in trees approximately 130 yards northwest of the lines. Fog, low clouds, snow, and rain were present in the area of the accident site both before and after the accident. The surviving passenger reported that no engine or airframe malfunctions were encountered during the flight.