Accident Details
On August 13, 2023, at 1128 eastern daylight time, a Scoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel LS, registration N239WD, was substantially damaged after striking powerlines over Lake Hickory near Hickory, North Carolina. The private pilot/owner and a student pilot passenger were fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data indicated the airplane departed Hickory Regional Airport (HKY) at about 1120. It flew northeast toward Lake Hickory at an altitude of approximately 1,600 ft mean sea level (msl) and a groundspeed of about 98 knots. Over the lake, the airplane turned left to the west and descended to about 900 ft msl before the ADS-B data ended. A witness recorded the airplane performing a touch-and-go landing on the water. Several other witnesses then observed the airplane flying “unusually low” and “in a highly banked angle” over the water. Another witness, located on a boat dock about 100 yards northwest of a set of energized powerlines spanning the lake, reported the airplane flying level about 100 to 200 ft above the water toward the powerlines. As it approached, the airplane assumed a “sudden” nose-down attitude and impacted the powerlines, causing an explosion. The airplane then tumbled into the water. The collision resulted in a power outage affecting approximately 18,000 residents in the surrounding community.
Aircraft Examination
Postaccident examination revealed the plexiglass windshield/canopy was missing due to impact, exposing the entire cockpit. Striations consistent with powerline cable contact were embedded on the left side of the dashboard. Deep gouging and striation marks extended from the top left area of the fuselage toward the left-wing root and continued down the left side of the fuselage. The left wing had separated from impact, and the composite material (fabric) was melted and shriveled along the inboard portion. Heat-damaged wing material hung from the separation point. The right wing had been removed by salvage personnel and appeared undamaged. The tail section remained attached, but the left horizontal stabilator was deflected downward from impact. Flight control continuity was established for both horizontal stabilizers via manual manipulation of the control sticks, and continuity was confirmed to the wing root area for both wings. The rudder pedals were partially jammed due to impact but allowed some movement to the rudder. A light coat of soot was observed on the engine pylon, cowling, spinner, and portions of the fuselage.
The engine remained secure to the airframe and undamaged. The three-bladed propeller was secure, with the outer half of one blade missing; the remaining portion exhibited gouging. The other two blades were intact with gouging. Manual rotation of the crankshaft via the propeller established thumb compression and valvetrain continuity to each cylinder. Fuel and some water were present in each carburetor bowl. No preimpact deficiencies or malfunctions were identified with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation at the time of impact.
Medical and Toxicological Findings
An autopsy performed by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, determined the pilot’s manner of death as blunt trauma resulting in accidental death. Toxicological testing by the FAA’s Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory found no medications or drugs that would have posed a hazard to flight safety.
Powerline Information
Power and transmission lines are typically not published on aeronautical maps unless they exceed 200 ft in height and are used for navigation. No altitudes are charted for individual towers, and their depiction is intended to aid navigation by pilotage or visual landmarks. The Federal Aviation Administration designates such lines as “power transmission and telecommunication lines” in the Aeronautical Chart User's Guide.