1989-07-17: Piper PA-36 — Haswell, CO

Casualties unknown • Haswell, CO, US

Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT (FAILED TO SEE & AVOID) WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE OBSTRUCTION. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE UNMARKED GUY WIRE & THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL CUES (VISUAL PERCEPTION).

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

AS THE PILOT WAS MAKING A SWATH RUN NEAR A MAJOR POWER LINE, THE ACFT'S RIGHT WING HIT A GUY WIRE THAT WAS ANCHORED ABOUT 95 FT TO THE SIDE OF THE POWER LINE. THE GUY WIRE SEVERED THE RIGHT WING & THE ACFT CRASHED. THE PLT RPRTD THAT IF THE UNMARKED GUY WIRE HAD BEEN MORE VISIBLE, THE ACDNT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-07-17 Piper PA-36 accident near Haswell, CO?

AS THE PILOT WAS MAKING A SWATH RUN NEAR A MAJOR POWER LINE, THE ACFT'S RIGHT WING HIT A GUY WIRE THAT WAS ANCHORED ABOUT 95 FT TO THE SIDE OF THE POWER LINE. THE GUY WIRE SEVERED THE RIGHT WING & THE ACFT CRASHED. THE PLT RPRTD THAT IF THE UNMARKED GUY WIRE HAD BEEN MORE VISIBLE, THE ACDNT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-07-17 involved a Piper PA-36, registration N57622, at Haswell, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT (FAILED TO SEE & AVOID) WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE OBSTRUCTION. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE UNMARKED GUY WIRE & THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL CUES (VISUAL PERCEPTION).

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28810. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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