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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 5, 2018 · Champion 7GCBC · N90990

Wiley, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 2018
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Wiley, CO
Aircraft
Champion 7GCBC (1973)
Tail Number
N90990
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN18LA316

The private pilot was conducting a day visual approach to landing on his airstrip; he stated that everything seemed normal on the descent. However, he noted that the agricultural irrigation pivot sprinkler had stopped with the sprinkler's last pipe, or "overhang pipe," over the runway. The pilot thought that he was high enough to clear the sprinkler overhang pipe and had "no idea" that the airplane was not going to clear the guy-wires that supported the sprinkler overhang pipe, and the right landing gear tire struck a guy-wire that was about 10 ft higher than the sprinkler overhang pipe. The airplane's nose subsequently impacted terrain, and the airplane came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from the sprinkler guy-wire, which resulted in the airplane’s collision with the wire during a visual approach to landing.

Full Narrative

On August 5, 2018, about 0830 mountain daylight time, a Champion 7GCBC airplane, N90990, impacted pivot sprinkler support guy-wires and terrain during a landing on a private airstrip near Wiley, Colorado. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged during the impact. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Lamar Municipal Airport (LAA), near Lamar, Colorado, about 0820, and was destined for the private airstrip.According to the pilot's accident report, he was setting up for landing on his airstrip and everything seemed normal on the descent. The only thing different on this landing was that the agricultural irrigation pivot sprinkler had stopped with the sprinkler's last pipe or "overhang pipe" over the runway. The pilot thought that he was high enough to clear the sprinkler overhang pipe and had "no idea" that the airplane was not going to clear the guy-wires that support the sprinkler overhang pipe. The pilot said, "After investigating the accident later it was obvious the right landing gear tire struck the [guy-]wire. The two [guy-]wires are about 10 ft higher than the overhang pipe." The airplane's nose subsequently impacted terrain and the airplane came to rest inverted. The pilot released the seat belt, kicked out a side window, crawled out, and called for help. A family member took the pilot to a local hospital. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions during the flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 7GCBC
Tail NumberN90990
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data