On February 25, 1990, a Piper PA-12-150 (registration N4053H) operated by Sheeon, Guy D was involved in an aviation accident near Milliken, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT, INTENTIONAL BUZZING, AND FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION (INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE POWER LINE AND THE ABSENCE OF SHOULDER HARNESSES IN THE AIRCRAFT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot and his wife were on a local flight when the aircraft, observed skimming the river, struck power lines and crashed. The wife survived with severe head injuries; the pilot had a vision waiver.
Incident Overview
A pilot and his wife were conducting a local flight when the aircraft was observed flying at an extremely low altitude over the South Platte River. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft below the tree tops, with its wheels skimming the water's surface. Shortly before the accident, the aircraft was seen to pull up, but it subsequently struck the top set of three wires and crashed.
Injuries and Aircraft Details
The pilot's wife survived the accident but sustained a severe head injury. The aircraft was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. The pilot had no useful vision in his right eye but possessed a medical waiver—a Statement of Demonstrated Ability—for this condition.
Witness Observations
Multiple witnesses observed the aircraft flying at low level over the river. One witness specifically reported that the aircraft's wheels were making contact with the water. The sequence of events leading to the crash involved the aircraft pulling up just before it hit the wires.