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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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December 15, 1994 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8388Y

Auburn, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 15, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Auburn, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8388Y
Operator
Auburn Flight Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA95LA024

WHILE ON FINAL TO RUNWAY 16 THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED POWER LINES 87 FEET ABOVE GROUND AND APPROXIMATELY 1700 FEET NORTH OF THE THRESHOLD. THE PILOT REPORTED BEING BELOW THE VASI GLIDESLOPE WHILE ON FINAL.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S NOT MAINTAINING CLEARANCE FROM THE POWER LINES. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S NOT MAINTAINING THE PROPER VASI GLIDESLOPE.

Full Narrative

On December 14, 1994, approximately 1720 hours Pacific standard time (pst), a Piper PA-28-161, N8388Y, operated by Auburn Flight Services, and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with high tension power lines while on approach to runway 16 at the Auburn Municipal Airport, Auburn, Washington. The pilot was uninjured. Visual dark night meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the Auburn airport at 1700 hours. An FAA inspector examined the aircraft and interviewed the pilot following the accident. He reported that the aircraft impacted the lower catenary of the power lines at a point approximately 83 feet above ground and 1700 feet north of the runway threshold on the extended centerline (refer to photographs 1/2). The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that she was low on the VASI to runway 16 during her approach and that she struck the power lines (also refer to NTSB Form 6120.1/2 attached). Following the wire strike, she maintained control of the aircraft and continued her approach to a landing on runway 16 during which the aircraft ran off the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:20 PST
Nearest AirportAuburn Municipal (1nm NNW)
Runway16
Runway Length3400 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8388Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAuburn Flight Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind120° @ 8 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data