Accident Details
On September 15, 2013, at approximately 0815 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20J, registration N1079K, collided with power lines about 15 miles south of Lund, Nevada. The airplane was registered to Smith Plane LLC and operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Ely Airport, Ely, Nevada, at 0730 and was destined for North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), Las Vegas, Nevada.
Flight and Incident Sequence
The pilot stated to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge that the purpose of the flight was to monitor a race course at the Silver State Classic Challenge Road Race. While at about 1,000 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a loss of power. During an attempted emergency landing, the engine regained power, but shortly thereafter the airplane collided with power lines. The power lines separated from the airplane, and the pilot continued the climbout. The pilot reported deciding to depart the area and fly south to VGT, approximately 150 miles south, rather than fly over the mountains near Ely.
One of the passengers reported in a written statement to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that while looking out the window, the pilot was manipulating the controls. The pilot stated he was going to land on a road as he pulled and then pushed the throttle lever back in. After colliding with the wires, the passenger stated that all of the alarms were going off. The passenger further noted that the cylinder head temperature was high and pointed this out to the pilot.
Damage and Examination
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed impact marks and damage on both wings, the cowling, and the propeller assembly. The left wing tip fairing section was bent rearward, and the left aileron was ripped from the trailing edge to its leading edge. Examination of the airframe and engine found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.