On January 17, 1997, a Cessna 172N (registration N739QE) was involved in an aviation accident near Steamboat Spgs, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor's preoccupation with watching elk led to his failure to see the power lines, resulting in a collision with wires and subsequent descent into trees. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a mountain flying checkout, a flight instructor distracted by watching elk failed to see power lines, leading to a wire strike and crash into aspen trees.
Accident Details
A flight instructor was providing a mountain flying checkout to a private pilot. While returning to the airport, the instructor suggested they fly down a wide canyon that led back to the field. The aircraft descended to 7,200 feet mean sea level, and the pilot remarked that they would need to watch for wires. The instructor became preoccupied watching elk and did not see the power lines. A loud scraping noise was heard, and the airplane decelerated and shuddered before descending into a clump of aspen trees.
Probable Cause
The flight instructor's preoccupation with watching elk led to his failure to see the power lines, resulting in a collision with wires and subsequent descent into trees.
What happened in the 17 Jan 1997 Cessna 172N accident near Steamboat Spgs, CO?
During a mountain flying checkout, a flight instructor distracted by watching elk failed to see power lines, leading to a wire strike and crash into aspen trees.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 17 Jan 1997 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N739QE, at Steamboat Spgs, CO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The flight instructor's preoccupation with watching elk led to his failure to see the power lines, resulting in a collision with wires and subsequent descent into trees.
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