1989-11-03: Piper PA-18-150 — Smoak Groves, Inc. — Immokalee, FL

Casualties unknown • Immokalee, FL, US

Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT TO SEE AND AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. THE STATIC LINE (OBSTRUCTION) WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT TURNED TO A NORTHERLY HEADING & REMAINED AT LOW ALT TO VIEW HIS AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPEMENT NEAR THE AIRSTRIP. THIS HEADING TOOK THE ACFT TOWARD HIGH TENSION POWER LINES, JUST NORTH OF THE PRIVATE STRIP. THE PLT SELECTED A FLT PATH OVER THE LOWEST SAG IN THE LINES; HOWEVER, NEITHER HE NOR THE PASSENGER SAW THE STATIC CABLES ABOVE THE MAIN TRANSMISSION LINES. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH AN UPPER (STATIC) CABLE. THE CABLE STOPPED THE ACFT'S FORWARD MOVEMENT & IT DROPPED NEARLY STRAIGHT-DOWN TO THE GROUND.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-11-03 Piper PA-18-150 accident near Immokalee, FL?

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT TURNED TO A NORTHERLY HEADING & REMAINED AT LOW ALT TO VIEW HIS AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPEMENT NEAR THE AIRSTRIP. THIS HEADING TOOK THE ACFT TOWARD HIGH TENSION POWER LINES, JUST NORTH OF THE PRIVATE STRIP. THE PLT SELECTED A FLT PATH OVER THE LOWEST SAG IN THE LINES; HOWEVER, NEITHER HE NOR THE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-11-03 involved a Piper PA-18-150, registration N4129E, operated by Smoak Groves, Inc., at Immokalee, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT TO SEE AND AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. THE STATIC LINE (OBSTRUCTION) WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29840. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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