24 Jun 2012: MOONEY M10 — Matthew D. Sommer

24 Jun 2012: MOONEY M10 — Matthew D. Sommer

No fatalities • Hurlock, MD, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines during final approach to landing.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

***This report was modified on October 29, 2012. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.***

The pilot stated that he was in the airport traffic pattern prior to landing at the private airstrip. Aware of the unmarked power lines at the runway threshold, he used the top of the tower as a reference for altitude. After clearing the top of the tower, the pilot steepened his descent in order to land, but realized that additional power lines were still in the airplane’s flight path. The pilot applied full engine power in an attempt to clear the power lines, but the airplane’s landing gear struck the lines, and the airplane pitched downward. The airplane impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the right wing, and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • cause Altitude — Not attained/maintained

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 010/04kt, vis 10sm

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