On November 8, 2001, a Cessna 140 (registration N76975) was involved in an aviation accident near Nephi, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the transmission wires while maneuvering. A contributing factor was the low altitude flight performed by the pilot. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
On the last leg of a positioning flight, the pilot descended to read a highway sign and struck transmission wires, then made an emergency landing on the highway. The airplane sustained damage to the cowling, struts, and windscreen.
Background
The pilot reported that they were on the final leg of a positioning flight. Due to low temperatures at higher altitudes and a minimal cabin heater, the pilot elected to maintain an altitude of approximately 800 to 1000 feet above ground level (AGL). The pilot was following an interstate highway as a navigational reference.
Incident
During the flight, the pilot descended to a lower altitude in an attempt to read a highway road mileage sign. Shortly after leveling off at the lower altitude, the airplane struck transmission wires. The pilot subsequently executed an emergency landing on the highway and taxied the airplane to the shoulder to clear it from automobile traffic.
Damage
The airplane sustained damage to the right side engine cowling and both wing struts, along with substantial damage to the windscreen.