On November 4, 1986, a Champion 7ECA (registration N8338V) was involved in an aviation accident near Paisley, OR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft contacted power lines during a night forced landing on a highway following a loss of power. Investigation found no mechanical discrepancies, with fuel reserves present.
What happened
The aircraft was involved in an incident during a night flight that required a forced landing on a highway. The event occurred after the pilot experienced a complete loss of power. During the attempt to land, the aircraft made contact with overhead power lines that ran parallel to the road.
The investigation
A thorough inspection of the aircraft was conducted following the incident. Investigators examined the engine and fuel system for any signs of mechanical failure or irregularity. The examination revealed no discrepancies with the engine components or the fuel delivery system. Additionally, a check of the fuel tanks confirmed that the planned fuel reserve was still present at the time of the event.
Findings
The investigation determined that there were no mechanical failures contributing to the power loss. The pilot suspected that vapor lock may have been the cause, potentially due to high altitude and cold temperature conditions while operating with reduced fuel quantity.