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NTSB Report
April 7, 1985 · Piper PA-18-150 · N4379Z
Sunnyside, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Sunnyside, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N4379Z
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA85FA086
THE ACFT CRASHED AFTER COLLIDING WITH ELECTRICAL POWER LINES NEAR AN OPEN FIELD. INITIAL IMPACT WITH THE POWER LINES OCCURRED WHERE THE WIRES WERE ROUTED OVER A DRAW BETWEEN 2 RIDGES. THE ACFT CAME TO REST INVERTED BETWEEN THE POWER LINES & THE OPEN FIELD. THE ACFT WAS RELATIVELY INTACT WITH EXTENSIVE GROUND IMPACT DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING & COMPRESSION & TWISTING TO THE REAR FUSELAGE. THERE WAS HEAVY SCRAPE MARKS ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. THE PROP SHOWED NO ROTATIONAL MARKS OR DAMAGE. THE LEFT FUEL CAP WAS OFF & SOME FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE REAR CORNER. THE RIGHT FUEL CAP WAS IN PLACE. THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS WEDGED IN THE ON/HOT POSITION. THE CONNECTING WIRES TO THE STARTER SWITCH WERE FOUND CORRODED AT THE ATTACH SCREWS, THEY WERE PARTLY SEPARATED & THE CASE WAS BROKEN. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS VERIFIED.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASHED AFTER COLLIDING WITH ELECTRICAL POWER LINES NEAR AN OPEN FIELD. INITIAL IMPACT WITH THE POWER LINES OCCURRED WHERE THE WIRES WERE ROUTED OVER A DRAW BETWEEN 2 RIDGES. THE ACFT CAME TO REST INVERTED BETWEEN THE POWER LINES & THE OPEN FIELD. THE ACFT WAS RELATIVELY INTACT WITH EXTENSIVE GROUND IMPACT DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING & COMPRESSION & TWISTING TO THE REAR FUSELAGE. THERE WAS HEAVY SCRAPE MARKS ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. THE PROP SHOWED NO ROTATIONAL MARKS OR DAMAGE. THE LEFT FUEL CAP WAS OFF & SOME FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE REAR CORNER. THE RIGHT FUEL CAP WAS IN PLACE. THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS WEDGED IN THE ON/HOT POSITION. THE CONNECTING WIRES TO THE STARTER SWITCH WERE FOUND CORRODED AT THE ATTACH SCREWS, THEY WERE PARTLY SEPARATED & THE CASE WAS BROKEN. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS VERIFIED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:14 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN4379Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 11 kt
Visibility35 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:51
Weather SourceWFAC