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NTSB Report
August 26, 1989 · Piper PA-28 · N7172R
Williams, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Williams, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-28
Tail Number
N7172R
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89LA163
THE PILOT WAS FLYING LOW PARALLELING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. SEVERAL OF THE PILOT'S EMPLOYEES WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT THE TIME AND SAW THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A ONE INCH DIAMETER TELEPHONE CABLE THAT TRAVERSED THE HIGHWAY BRINGING DOWN THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT'S EMPLOYEES BELIEVED HE DID NOT SEE THE CABLE.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN HIS VISUAL LOOKOUT AND FLYING LOW. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ONE INCH DIAMETER TELEPHONE CABLE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS FLYING LOW PARALLELING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. SEVERAL OF THE PILOT'S EMPLOYEES WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT THE TIME AND SAW THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A ONE INCH DIAMETER TELEPHONE CABLE THAT TRAVERSED THE HIGHWAY BRINGING DOWN THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT'S EMPLOYEES BELIEVED HE DID NOT SEE THE CABLE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:10 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28
Tail NumberN7172R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 D1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT