Accident Overview
On August 5, 2018, at approximately 0830 mountain daylight time, a Champion 7GCBC airplane, registration N90990, impacted pivot sprinkler support guy-wires and terrain during a landing on a private airstrip near Wiley, Colorado. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Lamar Municipal Airport (LAA) near Lamar, Colorado, at about 0820, and was destined for the private airstrip.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot's accident report, he was setting up for landing on his airstrip and everything seemed normal during the descent. The only difference noted on this landing was that the agricultural irrigation pivot sprinkler had stopped with its last pipe, or "overhang pipe," positioned over the runway. The pilot believed he was high enough to clear the overhang pipe and stated he had "no idea" that the airplane would not clear the guy-wires supporting the overhang pipe. The pilot later noted that after investigating the accident, it was obvious that the right landing gear tire struck one of the guy-wires. He also described that the two guy-wires are about 10 feet higher than the overhang pipe. Following the impact with the guy-wire, the airplane's nose struck terrain and the airplane came to rest inverted.
Aftermath
The pilot released his seat belt, kicked out a side window, crawled out of the wreckage, and called for help. A family member then transported the pilot to a local hospital. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the flight.