Summary
On March 03, 1993, a Asselyn XENAIR CH701 (N942PS) was involved in an accident near Durham, ME. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LIFT-OFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION AND PROXIMITY OF THE POWER LINE.
On March 3, 1993, at about 1600 eastern standard time, an Asselyn Zenair CH701 homebuilt airplane, N942PS, owned and operated by Phillip Peter Asselyn of Durham, Maine, sustained substantial damage at impact with power lines and terrain immediately after takeoff from a private airstrip in Durham. The pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91.
According to the pilot:
"After preflight and run up I departed my backyard field to the southwest. The weather was clear, about 2 inches of soft snow on the ground and no noticeable wind. The sun was right in my eyes.
This accident is documented in NTSB report BFO93LA042. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N942PS.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LIFT-OFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION AND PROXIMITY OF THE POWER LINE.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On March 3, 1993, at about 1600 eastern standard time, an Asselyn Zenair CH701 homebuilt airplane, N942PS, owned and operated by Phillip Peter Asselyn of Durham, Maine, sustained substantial damage at impact with power lines and terrain immediately after takeoff from a private airstrip in Durham. The pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91.
According to the pilot:
"After preflight and run up I departed my backyard field to the southwest. The weather was clear, about 2 inches of soft snow on the ground and no noticeable wind. The sun was right in my eyes. I proceeded with normal short field takeoff and climbed normally to about tree top level. I had 1/2 flaps in. About tree top level a good gust of wind hit me and the aircraft went into about a 60 [degree] bank to the left. The power lines were only about 200 feet away and I did not have time to recover. I struck the power line and lost consciousness. . . "
No mechanical malfunctions were reported.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# BFO93LA042