History of Flight
On January 19, 2013, about 1501 mountain standard time, a Cessna 140, registration N2341N, sustained substantial damage when it collided with power lines while maneuvering near Boulder, Utah. The airplane was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed from Escalante Municipal Airport (1L7) at an undetermined time.
A local power company official reported that power line service between Boulder and Escalante was interrupted at 1501 when an automatic breaker tripped. He responded and found power lines near mile marker 78 on Utah State Route 12 tangled, with a portion of the airplane's wing on the highway. Two power line poles were damaged, and the lines were near the ground. The height of the power lines at the impact point was estimated to be about 100 feet.
A witness west of Utah SR 12 observed the airplane flying eastbound. The engine sounded loud, and the airplane was about 200 to 300 feet above ground level before striking the power lines. Another witness saw the engine stop and sparks from the power lines after impact. Several local residents reported seeing the pilot flying at low altitude on previous flights.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 56, held a commercial pilot certificate with glider and instructor ratings and private privileges for airplane single-engine land. A third-class medical certificate was issued January 17, 2011, with a limitation requiring corrective lenses. He reported 2,500 total flight hours. No pilot or airplane logbooks were located.
Aircraft Information
The two-seat, high-wing, fixed-gear Cessna 140, serial number 12587, was manufactured in 1947. It was powered by a Lycoming O-290D2 engine rated at 135 horsepower and equipped with a McCauley M74DM fixed-pitch propeller.
Meteorological Information
Weather at Bryce Canyon Airport, about 40 miles west of the accident site, at 1553 mountain standard time: winds calm, clear, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 1°C, dew point -7°C, barometric pressure 30.47 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination revealed broken power poles and tangled high-power lines about 30 feet east of Utah SR-12. The lines were about 100 feet high. The first identified point of contact was one of the top power wires among a group of five lines. Two smaller grounding wires were on top, and three wires carrying about 69,000 volts were about 8 feet lower. A small discoloration was on the top wire.
The main wreckage was located about 200 feet down a slope east of the highway. The right wing was detached and on the highway near the point of impact. The debris path extended from the wire strike to the main wreckage within 300 feet. The fuselage, left wing, and engine came to rest inverted on a heading of about 310 degrees magnetic at an elevation of 6,217 feet.
The right wing exhibited large impact compression on the leading edge, with rub marks and arcing. Two arcing holes with black discoloration were on the wing skin bottom. The left wing had leading edge and tip damage. The empennage components were separated but attached by control cables. The elevator trim tab cable was severed. Flight control continuity was established.
The engine remained partially attached with fractured mounts; the carburetor was separated. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of mechanical anomaly that would have precluded normal operation.
Additional Information
An examination of the recovered airframe and engine conducted on February 6, 2013, at Air Transport in Phoenix, Arizona, noted no preimpact mechanical malfunction.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on January 20, 2013, determined the cause of death as blunt force injuries. Toxicological tests for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs were negative.
Tests and Research
A Lowrance Airmap 1000 portable navigation device found at the site was sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Laboratory; no data from the accident flight was found.