Summary
On July 31, 2009, a Piper PA28-151 (N41930) was involved in an accident near Purcell, OK. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The student pilot's failure to see and avoid the power lines.
The student pilot stated he had practiced a simulated loss of engine power to a field near a river. After finishing the practice approach, witnesses observed the airplane flying north to south about 30 feet above the river. They observed the airplane climb and fly over a bridge, which spaned a river. The airplane then descended and hit power lines that crossed over the river. The airplane came to rest in the river about one mile south of the bridge. Portions of the horizontal stabilizer and the wing had separated from the fuselage. The pilot was seriously injured. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA479. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N41930.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot's failure to see and avoid the power lines.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The student pilot stated he had practiced a simulated loss of engine power to a field near a river. After finishing the practice approach, witnesses observed the airplane flying north to south about 30 feet above the river. They observed the airplane climb and fly over a bridge, which spaned a river. The airplane then descended and hit power lines that crossed over the river. The airplane came to rest in the river about one mile south of the bridge. Portions of the horizontal stabilizer and the wing had separated from the fuselage. The pilot was seriously injured. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA479