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August 11, 1990 · Alfred Stevens KEN RAND KR-2 KEN RAND K · N232CM

Ellensburg, WA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 11, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ellensburg, WA
Aircraft
Alfred Stevens KEN RAND KR-2 KEN RAND K
Tail Number
N232CM
Operator
Ratcliffe Steven
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA90LA160

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS ONE OF FOUR IN A FLIGHT FLYING LOW LEVEL AND FOLLOWING A HIGHWAY. THE AIRPLANES WERE FLYING ABREAST ONE ANOTHER AND THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS WATCHING THE OTHERS ON EITHER SIDE OF HIM AS FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS NEAR NONEXISTANT DUE TO THE AIRPLANES CONFIGURATION. THE TERRAIN WAS ROLLING AND RISING IN FRONT OF THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT THEN HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE AIRPLANE HAD A TENDENCY TO ROLL TO THE LEFT WHICH THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR. THE FLIGHT WAS THEN DIVERTED TO ANOTHER AIRPORT WHERE A LANDING WAS MADE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. IT WAS LATER FOUND THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE THAT RAN ACROSS THE INTERSTATE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE ABOVE THE TERRAIN OR VISUAL LOOKOUT WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH A TRANSMISSION WIRE.

Full Narrative

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS ONE OF FOUR IN A FLIGHT FLYING LOW LEVEL AND FOLLOWING A HIGHWAY. THE AIRPLANES WERE FLYING ABREAST ONE ANOTHER AND THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS WATCHING THE OTHERS ON EITHER SIDE OF HIM AS FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS NEAR NONEXISTANT DUE TO THE AIRPLANES CONFIGURATION. THE TERRAIN WAS ROLLING AND RISING IN FRONT OF THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT THEN HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE AIRPLANE HAD A TENDENCY TO ROLL TO THE LEFT WHICH THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR. THE FLIGHT WAS THEN DIVERTED TO ANOTHER AIRPORT WHERE A LANDING WAS MADE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. IT WAS LATER FOUND THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE THAT RAN ACROSS THE INTERSTATE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAlfred Stevens KEN RAND KR-2 KEN RAND K
Tail NumberN232CM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRatcliffe Steven
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-D4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data