On July 27, 1994, a Cessna 140 (registration N9409A) was involved in an aviation accident near Lomax, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire, and the pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate altitude. A factor associated with the accident is the transmission wire. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot and passenger were rescued by boaters after their airplane struck an unmarked power line and crashed into the Mississippi River. The pilot reported the line was unseen.
Accident Overview
A pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were flying along the Mississippi River when their airplane collided with an unseen and unmarked power line. The impact caused the aircraft to enter the river, after which the two occupants were rescued by nearby boaters.
Witness and Official Statements
According to a police officer who interviewed the pilot and passenger shortly after the accident, both individuals reported that they were simply flying along the river, waving at people and enjoying the flight. A representative from the power company stated that the two poles supporting the power line stood approximately 60 feet tall, and the wire that the airplane struck was at a height of about 45 to 50 feet above the water.
Rescue and Aftermath
The prompt response of boaters in the area ensured that the pilot and passenger were rescued from the river. No further details about the condition of the occupants or the extent of damage to the aircraft were provided in the initial report.