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Casualties unknown

Aircraft strikes power lines during field landing attempt (N4523Z)

Cornelius, OR, US

On November 27, 1987, a Piper PA-22-108 (registration N4523Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Cornelius, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to see small power lines ahead and below the aircraft during the final approach, which resulted in the aircraft striking the power lines with the nose gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During a field landing near a farmhouse, the pilot cleared large power lines but failed to see smaller ones ahead and below the aircraft. The plane struck the lines with its nose gear before hitting a tree.

What happened

The pilot was attempting to land in a field located near a farmhouse. During the final approach phase, the pilot successfully cleared large power lines. However, the pilot had not seen small power lines ahead and below the aircraft. The aircraft struck the power lines in flight with the nose gear. The aircraft descended onto the ground striking a small tree before coming to rest on the ground.

The investigation

The investigation examined the sequence of events leading to the impact. The pilot cleared large power lines but failed to see small power lines ahead and below the aircraft. The aircraft struck the power lines in flight with the nose gear. The aircraft descended onto the ground striking a small tree before coming to rest on the ground.

Findings

The primary factor was the failure to see small power lines ahead and below the aircraft. The aircraft struck the power lines in flight with the nose gear. The aircraft descended onto the ground striking a small tree before coming to rest on the ground.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see small power lines ahead and below the aircraft during the final approach, which resulted in the aircraft striking the power lines with the nose gear.
Controlled flight into terrain

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X32640. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.